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Gyno-mite

Cervical Cancer Training Kit

Member profile details

Membership level

2017-2018 Team

e-mail

ricegynomite@gmail.com

Project Thumbnail Image

Team Name

Gyno-mite

Project Title

Cervical Cancer Training Kit

Design Challenge

Cervical cancer is a leading cause of cancer death among women living in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). The lack of access to screening methods in LMIC locations makes it difficult to provide comprehensive training programs in cervical cancer screening. Our challenge is to increase the abilities of a low-cost, interactive training model, developed by a prior student team, that can be used to practice performing cervical cancer screening and treatment procedures, namely loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), cryotherapy, colposcopy, visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), and pap smears.

Design Summary

Worldwide, nearly 300,000 women die from cervical cancer every year. 100% of cervical cancer cases can be prevented and treated if caught at an early stage. However, providers in underserved communities often lack training for cervical cancer screening to be able to detect and remove precancerous and cancerous lesions. Developing a training model specifically for practicing screening and treatment procedures for cervical training is necessary to address this gap in underserved communities. The model should be interactive and provide accurate simulations of cervical cancer procedures, namely loop electrosurgical excision procedure (LEEP), cryotherapy, colposcopy, visual inspection with acetic acid (VIA), and pap smears. The device should be inexpensive, portable, durable, and made with sourceable materials.
The Cervical Cancer Training Kit is designed to train healthcare staff in underserved communities on the technical approaches of cervical cancer screenings. It consists of three main components: a frame representing the female pelvic region, plastic cervix models, and single-use gel cervix models.

The angled frame is made out of sealant-treated wood and pink fabric representing the outer labia. Our model is made in two variations: a tan color, and a darker brown, so that the model is appropriate for use in a wider range of countries. The vaginal canal is made from PVC and foam and is lined with durable, waterproof fabric. The plastic cervix models, representing the ectocervix and external os, depict various stages and types of cervical cancer lesion development. They are painted with thermochromic paint, and can be swabbed with boiling water to mimic VIA, revealing “cancerous lesions” by immediately turning white. A separate plastic cervix with a deeper external os can be dipped in water and in any loose powder to practice pap smears. Single-use ballistic gel cervix models with embedded black bead targets can be used to practice biopsies. Gel models with the transition zone painted are used for LEEP and cryotherapy practice.

Our model features two ways to hold the cervix models into place. One way is a plastic cervix model holder can be used to hold the model into place, locking in directly behind the vaginal canal. The other is a plastic clip on a ball-and-socket that attaches to a magnetic wall. This maximizes variation in anatomy to our model, allowing for horizontal, vertical, and angular pivoting of the cervix. The plastic clip secures the models in place. To allow compatibility with the LEEP machine, the clip is lined with conductive material and connects with a wire to be clipped onto any grounding pad.

Last updated: 4/29/2018

Date Updated

Sunday, April 29, 2018

Team Members

Media Links

http://www.ricethresher.org/article/2018/03/senior-engineers-wrap-up-projects
https://bioengineering.rice.edu/news/rice-u-students-create-training-device-cervical-cancer-screening
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u5huubw0nPw

Team Type

Collaborative Capstone Design

Rapid Prototyping Tools Used

Laser Cutter
Formlabs 3D printer
Sewing Machine
Soldering Station
Hand Tools
Wood Shop Saws
Machine Shop Band Saw
Foam Cutter

Electronic Tools Used

Power switch/relay
LED

Software Used

Solid Works
Illustrator

PROPER ACKNOWLEDGMENT:

This project was sponsored by HT Than Law Offices. The design work for this project was supported by the resources of the Oshman Engineering Design Kitchen.