BME100 f2017:Group1 W0800 L2

BME 100 Fall 2017	Home People Lab Write-Up 1 | Lab Write-Up 2 | Lab Write-Up 3 Lab Write-Up 4 | Lab Write-Up 5 | Lab Write-Up 6 Course Logistics For Instructors Photos Wiki Editing Help
OUR TEAM Name: Alexandra Richey Name: Matthew Tam Name: Erin Lockwood Name: Caiden Gledhill Name: Maryah Alalwan Name: Aymard Irakoze LAB 2 WRITE-UP Our prototype is a small, portable saliva vitamin tester. At 2 in by 3 in by 5/8 in, this device is convenient and can be handheld for easy use. An attached tube of litmus papers serve to provide all of the materials necessary for the test. The litmus paper is inserted into a small slot on the bottom edge of the device after the paper is swabbed with saliva. The machine then tests the saliva to see which vitamins the individual being tested is lacking. Using a binary code, the machine will display either a plus or minus next to each vitamin type to indicate whether the vitamin is present or lacking based on a predetermined level of "normality" for each vitamin. This device will address our health issue as it will properly identify which vitamins are below standard levels in a fast, discrete manner to help our customers spend their money more effectively and to feel better without expensive doctors visits for such a minuscule detail of their health. Technical and Clinical Feasibility Technical Feasibility A chip installed in our device will check if you are sufficient or deficient in the most important vitamins our bodies need.The chip will be in binary code, so it will displays either a "+" or "-" sign in front of all the vitamins. A "+" sign by the vitamin, will mean you currently have enough of that vitamin, and a "-" sign will mean you have a deficiency. In addition, there will be a guide notebook which shows how to use the device and give you recommendation how to increase vitamins if your body has an insufficient amount. Our device is easy to use, has relatively few technologies, and gives straightforward results. No potential challenge or obstacle should impede the technical feasibility of our machine. Clinical Feasibility Our product will be used in the clinic to test for deficiencies in common vitamins that could have an impact on overall health. There are relatively few clinical risks as well as there is a minor risk of fraud and fabrication(VITASTIQ). In trials related to testing of vitamin D deficiency, there is a lack of evidence regarding the feasibility related to healthy populations. In high risk and at risk populations, the feasibility of adoption is high. However, there appears to be low benefit for testing in a healthy population. As such, the clinical benefit and overall value of money is unknown. In trials related to saliva testing, this form of testing is usually reliable. However, the concern arises that if the patient is sick with some other ailment, it has the potential to be contagious and if this is the case it would be problematic to have saliva samples around, increasing the chances of the sickness spreading, especially if the patient is self diagnosing at home around their family. At the same time, saliva testing is clinically feasible as it is non- invasive and easy to do. In trials related to the blood glucose meter, which has a similar overall design as our prototype, it was found that a great deal of the reliability is in relation to the user. The accuracy would be dependent on factors of the meter such as proper handling and storage of the litmus strips, cleanliness of the meter, and size and placement of the saliva sample on the strip. In an effort to troubleshoot these errors, a small manual will be provided with the machine to educate the user on proper use of the machine as well as suggested steps to take if the user tests negatively in a certain vitamin. Market Analysis Value Creation Our product is greatly worth the investment in, providing a safe and convenient means to test one's vitamin deficiencies. Is not available in the US. Benefits user with no health risk. High Return? (Must reference cost) However, Future investment may allow our device to reach a wider consumer base; in the future, our device may be able to detect other deficiencies, such as hormonal. (Why?) (Production and) Manufacturing Cost Display screen: ~$4.00 http://www.mouser.com/Optoelectronics/Displays/LCD-Displays/ Test Paper Strips: ~$4.08 for 12 (the amount that will accompany the product.) http://www.chemworld.com/pH-Testing-Strips-p/pHTS-14.htm?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3fD2iMSi1gIVgod-Ch0E7w6xEAQYASABEgJEmPD_BwE AAA Batteries used to power the device: ~$0.63 (for 2) https://www.costco.com/batteries.html Biosensor inside: ~$5.22 We divided the price of a glucose meter from Walgreens by 2 to account for profit, and then subtracted the cost of the other parts of the device to estimate the cost of the biosensor. https://www.walgreens.com/store/c/walgreens-at-home-a1c-test-kit/ID=prod6248361-product Plastic Shell: ~$2.06 http://www.custompartnet.com/estimate/injection-molding/ Labor: ~$5.00 for assembly of parts (this is just a rough estimate) Total Cost: $20.99 Sales Price Market Size 32,647,401 Americans are vitamin D deficient. In particular, a study shows that people are lacking Vitamin D. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/vitamin-d-deficiency-united-states/ Potentially 300,356,089 People are lacking a certain type of vitamin. According the CDC and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): 9 out of 10 Americans are deficient in potassium 7 out of 10 are deficient in calcium 8 out of 10 are deficient in vitamin E 50 percent of Americans are deficient in vitamin A, vitamin C, and magnesium More 50 percent of the general population is vitamin D deficient, regardless of age 90 percent of Americans of color are vitamin D deficient Approximately 70 percent of elderly Americans are vitamin D deficient This is mostly due to consumption of unhealthy junk and fast food https://thebiostation.com/resource-center/nutrient-iv-therapy/92-of-u-s-population-have-vitamin-deficiency-are-you-one-of-them/ More info/stats: https://www.cdc.gov/nutritionreport/pdf/4page_%202nd%20nutrition%20report_508_032912.pdf In the US alone, supplements account for $122 Billion of the US economy (0.657%!). In the world, it accounts for $220 Billion and rising. Fundability Discussion Competitors 3 Customer Validation 2 (1-2) Convenient, but not lifesaving IP Position 3 Technical feasibility score is 3. The device is easy to use, requires less technologies, and uses only a binary coded chip to display straightforward results for our tests. Clinical feasibility score is 2. Our device has a higher chance to get used only by sick or at risk population since healthy population might be reluctant to use that device, considering there might be no need to. In addition, proper use of our device will be emphasized as saliva test is used in our prototype which might constitute as a hazard after usage.. Saliva is a means of contamination of some contagious diseases. Total: 108 Our product is greatly worth the investment in, providing a safe and convenient means to test one's vitamin deficiencies.