masters project: tdcs headset producibility · web viewmasters project: tdcs headset producibility...
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DRAFT
Masters Project: tDCS headset producibility This project aims to take a design of a headset used for transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and make it producible, i.e., suitable for injection molding. There are also some design issues that needs to be solved regarding how to mount the headset on the head.
Project Clients:Erik Rehn ([email protected] ) & Daniel Mansson ([email protected] )
BackgroundtDCS is a technique that has been researched for nearly 50 years in its current form. The technique is based on stimulation of the brain using a weak, barely noticeable, electric signal in order to change activity patterns under the stimulated areas. The electric current is applied by attaching two electrodes, similar to the regular TENS electrodes used for muscle pain treatment, to the forehead. During the last decade, many scientific studies have shown that this technique is effective when treating depression and that it has about the same effect on clinically depressed patients as talk therapy (e.g. CBT) or antidepressant medications. What drastically sets the tDCS technique apart from drugs is that, out of the more than 10,000 simulated patients, no side effects have been shown apart from some redness on the skin under the anode (the plus electrode) and some mild headaches that passed 30 minutes after the stimulation ended.
Despite the promising effects that tDCS has shown in many highly qualitative scientific studies, there are no products on the market that can provide individuals with the opportunity to use tDCS in a user- -friendly and safe way.
Flovv consists of a headset with electrodes and a personalized smartphone app which in part controls the headset, and in part gives the user exercises, with the goal of reducing the symptoms of depression through behavior activation.
Current headset designSee images below.
The headset has two electrode holders which are placed high on the forehead of the user. The electrodes are attached to the holders with snap connectors, and have a diameter of 5 cm.
A metal strap made of spring steel with adjustable length holds the headset in place. The metal strap is removable and is supposed to be attached to the front piece with a magnet connector.
DRAFT
Project overviewThe project can be split into two parts, where a student can do one or both parts.
1. Producibility: Make the model suitable for injection molding. There are some problems that need to be solved here with the thickness of the plastic, angles etc.
2. The metal strap that holds the headset in place needs to have adjustable length and also be detachable from the front part.
a. For the length adjustment the design is inspired by Koss headphones, and a similar metal strap can be used. However, the length of the strap also needs to be locked so that you don’t need to adjust it at every use. How to solve this?
b. Since the strap needs to be removable from the front piece some kind of lock mechanism needs to be used. Currently we have experimented with a magnet solution, but other solutions are possible. What is the best way to design a magnet lock or are there other better ways?