Project 1 - Design and Development of Crutch ( Medical Technology)

Crutches are long stick which are used by the people who have injured their legs, it works on a place of injured one. Helps the victim to walk despite of a broken leg by the force of their upper body.

TASK1

My research found that the global medical crutches market size was valued at 727.4 million US dollar in 2022 which is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5% from 2023-2030.

Initially, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a negative impact on the crutches resulting in the disruption of supply chain and also on the shipping of crutches, gradually increasing the shipping cost. However, steadily the market is again progressing post-COVID-19.

About the material insights, maximum share was held by metal alloy segment whereas market is segmented into wood, carbon, glass fib er and many more too.

As per my research, I acknowledged that majority of people now also does doesn’t give importance to material and quality instead they buy crutches via its cost. Cheaper are sold more rather than costly and sound quality once.

Consequently, companies have to continue making the old version instead of using innovative because majority prefer the old once.

However, market players are trying various strategic initiatives like the launch of new product partnerships, collaborations, mergers and acquisitions.

One report also segmented the global medical crutches market report based on product, material, end-use, and region shown below:

• Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
  • Underarm Crutch
  • Forearm Crutch
  • Tetrapod Crutch
  • Leg Support Crutch
  • Others
• Material Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
  • Wood
  • Metal Alloy
  • Carbon Or Glass Fiber Reinforced Composite
  • Others
• End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
  • Children
  • Adults
  • Others
• Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2018 - 2030)
  • North America
  • Europe
  • Asia Pacific
  • Latin America
  • Middle East & Africa

TASK 2

Features required by the customers for the crutch:

• Crutch should be vigorous.
• Its design should be hard-wearing.

• Portable in nature, that can be easily carried without getting strain.

• Made in such a way to handle plump people too.
• Material should be chosen by keeping in mind that it should not slip.
• Sound quality rubber should be used to handle the weight of person without making them fall.

• Adjustable for all height and weight person.

TASK 3

Based on customer feedback, people need a very vigorous and intense design of crutch. As it is used roughly so more demand is for hard-wearing crutches. Sometimes if its not made correctly then people might strain their hands hence, should be portable in nature. Also it should be designed to handle plump people easily too. Sound quality rubber must be used for manufacturing the crutch to make it slip-free with amazing grip.

Concept of Operation of the product- The crutch should be designed with an arm belt also for differently abled people who have problem in their arm too. Material used for making the stick should be able to withstand any weather also should be rust-free. Even people of different weight and height in a family can be able to use same crutch which is why it has to be adjustable for long as well as short people also for thin and heavy people. Victim can carry it anywhere whether it is bathroom or to climb the stairs or need to travel with it, there should not be any problem.

Nowadays, it would sound weird that people prefer integral architecture rather than modular design of crutch. As modular would go with lot other features which few people find not of much use. So they go for integral architecture as according to their mentality “buy as much is needed, without anything extra”.

Aim of the product is to “give people life”, who loses their leg(s) also lose their self-confidence and think to give up however by making such products like Crutch, people get their confidence back and again they start to live their life.

Interface control documents:

• Mechanical interface- The crutch's adjustment mechanism consist of a tube embedded with a spring so that the crutch would lengthen when free and shorten under pressure applied by the user and also can be adjusted.

• Electrical interface- there is no such electrical interface.

• Information flow interface- there is no such interface.

• Human-machine interface- Primarily, parts need to fabricated and as the crutch is fully erect, the person needs to be pass his arm through the arm slot and try to stand grabbing the handle and move by applying pressure on the stick.

TASK 4

Product development roadmap:

	Q1 2022	Q2 2022	Q3 2022	Q4 2022	Q1 2023	Q2 2023
Arm-slot	Normal Belt Type			Good quality		Comfortable and adjustable
Handle		Normal Plastic grip	Rubber grip		Silicon grip
Shaft		Integral		Modular		Advance Modular
Foot	Traditional		Foot grip		Advance Suction

The mission statement of the product:

Product Description	hard-wearing Silicon grip handle crutches with advance suction foot making it anti-slip
Benefit Statement	· Portable in nature, that can be easily carried without getting strain. · Vigorous with advance suction for better grip · Easily be used in rain too. · Comfortable arm-slot.
Buisness Objectives	Competitive pricing over the existing crutches in the market. Recieve 5-star in safety. Launch the first phase of the product by second quarter of this year. Launch the last phase by the fourth quarter of this year.
Core Market	· Person with disability in walking. · Who has lost their leg in some accident. · Senior citizen with walking issue.
Stakeholders	Manufacturing and supply chain partners. Retailers and stores Existing and new customers

Product development resource requirements

Staffing requirements:45% staff will work in design department to decide the design and mechanism. 45% will be in manufacturing team for developing the prototype, manufacturing the items and also for testing.

10% will be for marketing work.

Budget requirements: Knowledge is obtained by searching the market and by people’s review, accordingly budget is set on the basis of public requirements.

Product Schedule- Project idea should be decided in 5 days. Primarily, after on public review, design has to be made and accordingly work need to be allotted to the team within a week. Best 10% demanded design is to be made and released in the market in two months, for further manufacturing idea. No sooner the design department will approve the design, product goes through verification. Prototype is generated and under goes validation, these need to be done in one and a half month period. Then marketing team has to work for campaign and all. After 10 days, company will launch the product and then in next 10-15 days, product will be on sale.

TASK 5

Simplicity	The arm-slot should be easy to wear and adjustable with one hand, also crutch should be portable in nature.
Immediate Intuition	Its somewhat long wooden stick with a belt and a handle.
Approachable Innovation	Advance foot suction design. Adjustable arm belt and comfortable material. Height of the crutch can be customizable.
Aesthetics	Crutch is to be made in such a way that the person using it feels comfortable and it shouldn’t feel as in captivity with a classy look.
Egronomics	Comfortable, portable and adjustable.

*Diagrams in attachment*

Fig 1: WBS of the Crutch

Fig 2: Architecture schematic diagram

Fig 3: Advance concept of crutch (Above) along with bottom foot view.

Initial concept of crutch (Below) along with bottom foot view.

There is vast difference between advance concept of crutch and initial concept, as advance one has adjustable belt with silicon grip handle along with flat foot with advance suction (large circumference) which will be made with excellent anti-slip material. The shaft is also adjustable.

Whereas, initial concept doesn't have adjustable shaft, might be little uncomfortable and also foot may slip due to less circumference. Certainly, hurt people arms.