A spring-based device that gives doctors an objective, repeatable measurement for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome. Designed in CAD and refined with physicians.
- When
- 2024–present
- Context
- TCU, with physicians
- Status
- Being refined
- Technical summary
- A spring-based diagnostic tool for medical researchers, developed in CAD and refined with physicians for clinical application.
- Topics
What it is
Diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome often depends on a physician’s judgment. This device gives physicians and researchers a number instead: a spring-based mechanism applies a consistent force, so measurements can be repeated and compared between patients.
What I did
The project started in January 2024 as a collaboration between engineering students and medical professionals at TCU. We worked in iterations:
- Prototyping: 3D-printed prototypes to check that the mechanism works
- Clinical feedback: regular meetings with physicians and medical students to improve ergonomics and usability
- Testing: bench testing, followed by preliminary clinical trials
How it works
- Design: modeled in SolidWorks CAD
- Mechanism: spring-based force measurement for consistent, repeatable readings
- Materials: medical-grade plastics and stainless steel components
- Calibration: calibrated to detect small variations in wrist biomechanics
Status
Still being refined for clinical use. The goal is a reliable, affordable tool that can be manufactured at scale.