AQUA BraceProject By: Jordan Williams, Alyssa Zillmer,

and Connor Griffin

Background Problem Statement Problem Validation Survey Statistics Patents/Past

Solutions Design

Requirements Choosing a Solution

Sketches/Final Design Sketches

Prototype Materials Testing Redesign Next Steps

Agenda

Stifle joint is the most susceptible joint in the dog

Surgery is the number one prescription for knee injuries

Avg. $2000-$2500, can be $3500+ Avg. knee brace $745-$945

Background

Dogs have a plethora of knee injuries, the steps to fix these injuries usually requires surgery which is assisted by a knee brace and sometimes hydrotherapy. Knee braces are also used as an alternative to surgery with hydrotherapy. Most knee braces are not water resistant which can be expensive when replaced.

Problem Statement

Survey ◦Importance of brace◦How much they would be willing to pay

Professional Opinion ◦Main reason for earlier appointments

◦Higher chance of other leg tearing

Problem Validation

Survey Statistics Over 80% felt that it was important At least 50% would be willing to pay up to $500

Pros: Comfortable Inexpensive Supports whole hind leg

Cons: Not water resistance Bulky

Patents

Pros: Comfortable Supportive Does not shift

Cons: Complex Not water resistant

Patents

Past Solutions (OrthoPets)Pros► Effective► Durable materials ► Water proof padding

Cons► Expensive► Not all water proof► Shifts

Pros► Water proof► Moderately affordable

Cons► Complex► Air dry

Past Solutions (MuttKnee Brace)

Water Proof Effective

◦Restricts knee to normal movements Cost Effective Durable

Design Requirements

Created individual preliminary sketches

Choose best 5 Composite design of previous ideas. Two stage brace.

Choosing a Solution

Sketches

Sketches

Sketches

Choosing a Solution(cont.)

Final Design Sketches

Prototype Design Sketches

Prototype Design Sketches(cont.)

Prototype Design Sketches(cont.)

Prototype Design Sketches(cont.)

Prototype Design Sketches(cont.)

Prototype Design Sketches(cont.)

Prototype

Low Density Polyethylene Neopreene Closed-Cell Foam

Materials

Criteria/Benchmark Description of data needed

Quantitative or qualitative

Degree of accuracy

WaterproofAmount of water absorbed Quantitative +/- .25 lb

Effective as a knee brace

Leg cannot shift in unnatural directions.

 Qualitative

 N/A

Testing

Testing (cont.)Criteria/Benchmark Description of

data neededQuantitative or qualitative

Degree of accuracy

Cost under $300 Total price. Quantitative +$50/-∞

Durable Damage to materials Qualitative N/A

Criteria/Benchmark Observations Pass/Failure

Degree of accuracy

Waterproof 

Given the materials used and the design itself, unless due to user error there would be little to no water absorption.

Pass +/- .25 lb

Effective as a knee brace

Given the design, movement would be severely restricted in all directions except for forwards and backwards. Little resistance would be applied from knee wrap but not complete resistance.

 Pass (Some changes)

 N/A

Testing Analysis

Criteria/Benchmark

Observations Pass/Failure

Degree of accuracy

Costs under $300    Pass

 + $50/ -∞

Durable

Minor scuffs would be suspected. Damage can be reduced with new materials.

 Short term pass/ Long term failure 

 N/A

Testing Analysis (cont.)

Structure Size Increase stability

Redesign

Redesign (cont.)

Use desired materialsMore extensive testing

Next Steps