Design Schedule
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Weekly Reports
Weekly Report 11/19/2012
Project Name: Development of a MRI-Compatible Dynamic and Deformable Imaging Phantom
Group Number: 29
Group Members: Leah Laux, Jacintha Sales
Current status of project:
Location of components and manufacturers is underway, and major high-cost components (pump, gear mechanism) have been specified.
Work completed in the last week:
Manufacturer catalogs and preliminary calculations were used to refine the motion stage design and determine motor, gear, and pump dimensions needed. After investigation into a number of gearing mechanisms, a motor mechanism was chosen and a pump was selected. An MRI-compatible turntable was located (McMaster-Carr) and a raw material supplier was found (McMaster-Carr). A list of specific action items for work during the coming week was developed.
Work planned for next week:
By the end of next week, we plan to select each individual component and its dimensions, determine part numbers and manufacturers on each, and record said information so that SolidWorks/CAD drawings and risk assessment can be done in the following week.
Weekly Report 11/12/2012
Project Name: Development of a MRI-Compatible Dynamic and Deformable Imaging Phantom
Group Number: 29
Group Members: Leah Laux, Jacintha Sales
Current status of project:
We are currently in the process of refining our chosen phantom design, selecting and specifying components, motors, and parts, and performing mathematical analyses of phantom motion.
Work completed in the last week:
Last week, detailed investigation into the translation and rotation stage was performed. A number of discussion points were developed for an upcoming client meeting. Additionally, design notebooks were personally reviewed to ensure up-to-date recording.
Work planned for next week:
Mechanical analysis of the phantom deformation, development of a parts list, and investigation into cost of components is planned for next week. This analysis is planned such that placing calls for parts quotes may begin the following week.
Weekly Report 11/05/2012
Project Name: Development of a MRI-Compatible Dynamic and Deformable Imaging Phantom
Group Number: 29
Group Members: Leah Laux, Jacintha Sales
Current status of project:
We have chosen a final phantom design to pursue, and are currently in the process of analyzing the specific components of our design, including MR- compatibility and imageability, deformation and translation, and pump and motor specifications.
Work completed in the last week:
In the last week we selected our optimum design choice through Pugh chart comparisons of all alternatives, and proceeded to detail analytical efforts required to complete the overall phantom design. We additionally presented our oral and written progress reports which included all design alternatives and our chosen design, and we updated our design schedule and team responsibilities.
Work planned for next week:
Next week we plan to proceed with development of our chosen design, including creation of mechanical drawings, analysis of all deformation and motion, as well as detailing of pump and motor specifications. These analytical efforts will put us in good position to further evaluate our chosen design and to begin developing lists of required parts and assembly details.
Weekly Report 10/22/2012
Project Name: Development of a MRI-Compatible Dynamic and Deformable Imaging Phantom
Group Number: 29
Group Members: Leah Laux, Jacintha Sales
Current status of project:
We have concluded our generation of design ideas and are currently comparing our potential phantom designs and establishing a final design choice.
Work completed in the last week:
In the last week we divided our design ideas into the categories of materials and methods of motion, then worked on generating Pugh chart comparisons of the design choices based on client specifications and our design criteria. Once we land on a final phantom design, our next step will be to detail the specifications and begin analysis of our chosen design solution.
Work planned for next week:
Next week we plan to finalize and present our design progress report including comparison of all design possibilities and specific details of our final design choice. We will then rework our design schedule and continue with our analysis and optimization of our chosen design.
Weekly Report 10/15/2012
Project Name: Development of a MRI-Compatible Dynamic and Deformable Imaging Phantom
Group Number: 29
Group Members: Leah Laux, Jacintha Sales
Current status of project:
We are concluding our generation of design alternatives and are moving into comparing and optimizing possible designs in order to establish a finalized design choice.
Work completed in the last week:
In the last week we divided our design ideas into the categories of materials and methods of motion, then proceeded to generate possible solutions and criteria for comparison of the different choices. We will next focus on creating Pugh charts for each solution category and work on combining ideas for materials and methods of motion to develop a complete, optimal phantom design choice.
Work planned for next week:
Next week we plan to finalize our design choice based on client specifications and comparison of our various solution features. We will then work on optimizing and analyzing our chosen design solution, finalizing our progress report, and reworking our schedule for future development of the phantom design.
Weekly Report 10/08/2012
Project Name: Development of a MRI-Compatible Dynamic and Deformable Imaging Phantom
Group Number: 29
Group Members: Leah Laux, Jacintha Sales
Current status of project:
We are continuing our work in generating design alternatives, building off of the platform of client specifications and literature results. Upon completion of this phase we will transition to comparing design alternatives and choosing our optimum design.
Work completed in the last week:
In the last week we refined our design specifications, sketched several design alternatives, and created many smaller-scale ideas relating to materials, motion systems, and deformation tracking. In addition, we created or initial webpage, including our background and scope/specifications along with preliminary presentation and design schedule. We will continue focus on generation of a large number of possible phantom solutions and will soon begin comparison of the different design features.
Work planned for next week:
Next week we plan to complete our formulation and comparison of design alternatives, including Pugh chart analysis of the various design features. We will then be in a position to choose and further analyze an optimal design solution.
Weekly Report 10/01/2012
Project Name: Development of a MRI-Compatible Dynamic and Deformable Imaging Phantom
Group Number: 29
Group Members: Leah Laux, Jacintha Sales
Current status of project:
We are commencing work on the idea-generation phase of the design process, working off of the specifications and literature search results to brainstorm possible routes to meeting design criteria.
Work completed in the last week:
We have completed the literature search and compilation of project scope and specifications. We have recorded and consolidated the most intriguing features seen in each of the existing articles on motion and MRI compatible phantoms and will use this information, as well as our consolidated list of client needs and specifications, to generate a large number of possible solutions.
Work planned for next week:
Next week we plan to produce a high volume of initial sketches and concepts, focusing on a large quantity and breadth of ideas (which we will then narrow down and refine towards a few promising options). In addition, we will be completing the initial webpage assignment portion of the BME 401 course.
Follow-Up Questions for Client:
- Phantom Use: How often would the phantom be used (once, every month, every day, etc.)? Is our phantom designed as a one-time verification that the ViewRay system is accurate, or is it intended to be used repeatedly for calibration of the ViewRay system? Is there a calibration mechanism in the ViewRay system?
- Precisely Known Parameters: The models we saw in the literature had several different methods of specifying the phantom’s position and dimensions in time. Are you looking to know the position of several markers in the phantom, or the exact contour and position of the phantom’s surface at every point in time (along with the volume of the phantom at each time point)?
- Specifications: What time resolution would be preferable (position information for every 0.1 seconds, .05 seconds, etc)? Additionally, what magnitude of volume change would be useful to you (in percent initial volume or in mL)?
Weekly Report 09/24/2012
Project Name: Development of a MRI-Compatible Dynamic and Deformable Imaging Phantom
Group Number: 29
Group Members: Leah Laux, Jacintha Sales
Current status of project:
We are consolidating information and ideas gathered during a literature search and preparing to enter the preliminary brainstorming phase of the design, focusing on developing a wide range of potential solutions to meet the client specifications and needs.
Work completed in the last week:
We are coming to a close on the literature search portion of our preparation and are currently laying out a detailed design schedule. In addition, we investigated background information on the ViewRay system technology and the design needs, as well as outlining a set of follow-up questions for the client.
Work planned for next week:
Next week we plan to produce a high volume of initial sketches and concepts, focusing on a large quantity and breadth of ideas (which we will then narrow down and refine towards a few promising options).
Project Name: Development of a MRI-Compatible Dynamic and Deformable Imaging Phantom
Group Number: 29
Group Members: Leah Laux, Jacintha Sales
Current status of project:
We are consolidating information and ideas gathered during a literature search and preparing to enter the preliminary brainstorming phase of the design, focusing on developing a wide range of potential solutions to meet the client specifications and needs.
Work completed in the last week:
We are coming to a close on the literature search portion of our preparation and are currently laying out a detailed design schedule. In addition, we investigated background information on the ViewRay system technology and the design needs, as well as outlining a set of follow-up questions for the client.
Work planned for next week:
Next week we plan to produce a high volume of initial sketches and concepts, focusing on a large quantity and breadth of ideas (which we will then narrow down and refine towards a few promising options).
Weekly Report 09/17/2012
Project Name: Development of a MRI-Compatible Dynamic and Deformable Imaging Phantom
Group Number: 29
Group Members: Leah Laux, Jacintha Sales
Current status of project:
We are currently on track with our initial design schedule and are in the research and early analysis phase of the project.
Work completed in the last week:
Last week we outlined our project need and scope, detailed all preliminary project specifications, and devised a preliminary design schedule.
Work planned for next week:
Next week we will focus on finishing our literature and patent searches and performing a preliminary project analysis with specification and background calculations.
Project Name: Development of a MRI-Compatible Dynamic and Deformable Imaging Phantom
Group Number: 29
Group Members: Leah Laux, Jacintha Sales
Current status of project:
We are currently on track with our initial design schedule and are in the research and early analysis phase of the project.
Work completed in the last week:
Last week we outlined our project need and scope, detailed all preliminary project specifications, and devised a preliminary design schedule.
Work planned for next week:
Next week we will focus on finishing our literature and patent searches and performing a preliminary project analysis with specification and background calculations.
Weekly Report 09/10/2012
Project Name: Development of a MRI-Compatible Dynamic and Deformable Imaging Phantom
Group Members: Leah Laux, Jacintha Sales
Current status of project:
We are currently in the research stage of our project, reading reference papers on imaging phantoms and getting an idea of the need and the scope.
Work completed in the last week:
Last week we finalized our project choice, got in touch with our clients, and began research on the project.
Work planned for next week:
We will be meeting with our clients tomorrow morning (Tuesday 9/11) to discuss the scope of our project and go over design requirements.
Project Name: Development of a MRI-Compatible Dynamic and Deformable Imaging Phantom
Group Members: Leah Laux, Jacintha Sales
Current status of project:
We are currently in the research stage of our project, reading reference papers on imaging phantoms and getting an idea of the need and the scope.
Work completed in the last week:
Last week we finalized our project choice, got in touch with our clients, and began research on the project.
Work planned for next week:
We will be meeting with our clients tomorrow morning (Tuesday 9/11) to discuss the scope of our project and go over design requirements.