Temperature Measurement System for Study of Cast Burns Artificial Burning Limb

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Temperature Measurement System for Study of Cast
Burns (Artificial Burning Limb)

• Team Members
• Stacey Hoebel, Kristin LaFortune, Katie Mantz,
  Liz Thottakara
• Advisor
• Professor Justin Williams
• Client
• Dr. Matt Halanski
• October 8, 2004

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Presentation Overview

• Background
• Proposed Solutions
• Material/Shape
• Heating Options
• Sensor Technologies/Configurations
• Data Acquisition
• Decision Matrix
• Future Work

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Background

• Cast Burn
• Skin temperature is 29-33 C
• Exothermic reactions from cast curing can cause
  skin burns
• Temperature inside cast can vary 30-60 C

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Motivation

• End goal of this project For physicians to
  prevent cast burns by understanding the
  correlation between external and internal cast
  temperature
• Temperature monitors placed on surface of cast
  during curing process

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Previous Studies on Cast Burns

• A few studies performed in the early 1980s
• Studied several variables affecting internal cast
  temperature
• Correlation between external temperature and
  internal temperature was not studied
• Used a water bath pumped through a Pyrex or
  plexiglass cylinder
• No real-time data monitoring

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Problem Statement

• Develop system to study correlation between
  internal and external cast temperatures
• Artificial limb to apply cast
• Temperature sensors to quantify heat
• Data acquisition system to display and record
  real-time internal and external temperature data

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System Schematic
Data Acquisition
Computer
Heated Limb
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Proposed Designs
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Water Bath Heater

• Pump heated water through closed cylinder
• Easy to use

• Limb Material Characteristics
• Thermally conductive
• Non-corrosive
• Rigid
• Easy to manufacture
• Easy to Clean

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Silicone Rubber Heater

• Nichrome wire embedded in flexible silicone
• Power controller ensures constant temperature
• Good temp uniformity
• Adhesive backing to mount to any material
• Custom shapes available
• Easy to operate

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Temperature Measurement

• Thin wire thermocouple
• Accuracy within one degree
• Size (.025 diameter) will not interfere with
  casting procedure
• Easy to mount
• Multiple thermocouples will not be noticeable
• Sensor placement
• 2 to 3 thermocouples on the internal and external
  surfaces of the cast

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Data Acquisition and Analysis

• DAQ Board
• Collects real-time data from thermocouples
• Relays data to computer
• LabView Program
• Displays and records real-time temperature data
• Simple user interface

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Decision Matrix
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Future Work

• Consult with client
• Discuss budget
• Select final design
• Begin prototype construction
• Order materials
• Construct limb
• Develop Labview user interface

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Questions?