Frequently Asked Questions for Projects that Matter
Questions:
2. My design doesn’t meet all the specifications, but it exceeds some. Should I send it in?
3. How do I know what is locally available for production?
4. What if a part is not locally available?
5. What if the component requires programming or burning?
6. The equipment has to be very simple to use, right?
7. The equipment has to be really quick to use, right?
8. The device has to be maintenance free, right?
9. What environmental conditions must the tester meet?
10. I have just one custom part. Surely that won’t affect your consideration of my design.
Answers:
We commonly have numerous teams or individuals working on the same project simultaneously. We consider this to be a positive, not a problem! Not all of our groups develop a workable prototype, and we often get submissions of partially completed designs. Having multiple teams working on a design increases the odds of having a successful submission or of having a higher quality final product. Different teams will use different approaches to solve the design challenge, and the ideas they develop contribute to knowledge about the issue and can sometimes be combined to create a more effective product. For these reasons, we recommend that you choose a project that closely aligns with the interests and skills of you and/or your team. This will maximize your ability to contribute on your chosen design.
2. My design doesn’t meet all the specifications, but it exceeds some. Should I send it in?
If your design doesn’t meet all the specifications, you are not guaranteed to receive the $150 for prototyping. However, you may be able to make an argument that the added performance in one area is worth the missed specification in another. Make sure to include a cover letter of one page or less which describes your argument.
3. How do I know what is locally available for production?
You must contact a clinical engineer and talk with them about this. There is no substitute for a conversation with the clinical engineer that will use your design. The best way to find out is to participate in the EWH-Duke Summer Institute!
4. What if a part is not locally available?
If you really need a component that you can’t find locally (a capacitor or fuse, or a special plastic), then you should consider making your design a kit. Kits are great ways to have impact.
5. What if the component requires programming or burning?
Most PICS and FPLA and such devices require burning or programming. Most clinical engineers in the developing world do not have access to a computer or a programmer. Therefore, your project requires a special tool that is not available in the developing world. It may be considered for a kit, but cannot be manufactured at a developing world hospital.
6. The equipment has to be very simple to use, right?
No. People in the developing world are just as capable as you and I to learn how to use a piece of equipment. If you can figure it out, they can too.
7. The equipment has to be really quick to use, right?
No. The concept of time is different in the developing world. It is quite an acceptable design to require a significant amount of man-hours (minutes?) to operate your device.
8. The device has to be maintenance free, right?
Pretty much. If any maintenance is required, it must be something that itself does not require a specialized tool or part.
9. What environmental conditions must the tester meet?
Your design must not be destroyed even with extended exposure to temperatures down to -10 degrees centigrade and temperatures up to 40 degrees centigrade. It should be useable in environmental temperatures ranging from 20 degrees centigrade to 40 degrees centigrade.
10. I have just one custom part. Surely that won’t affect your consideration of my design.
Yes it will! If you have one custom component, and that component cannot be manufactured in the developing world in single quantities (and those costs are included in your cost estimates), then your design will be not be considered for local production.
