FEMALE ENGINEERING MATTERS
OUR GOAL AS F.E.M.
- As a group of women from different cultures and backgrounds we have decided to dedicate our team, F.E.M., to focusing on the needs of pregnant people using design and engineering principles.
- It is our goal as a team to create something that targets and betters the physical, mental, and emotional health of the pregnant population experiencing musculoskeletal discomfort.
- Team mission statement: To advance women’s health through the development of a biodevice that will fulfill the wants and needs of women around the world.
Studies show that over half of pregnant people will experience lower back pain that will negatively affect their quality of life during pregnancy. Such discomfort has the potential for other health risks that can lead to extreme complications. As a team of female engineers and entrepreneurs striving to improve women's health, we have carefully sought out a wearable support system that will aid in maintaining comfort for pregnant people experiencing musculoskeletal pain. After collecting data from multiple pregnant people, we were able to identify key components that would make for effective maternal support. Supports on the current market only target the area of the belly, and people fail to realize that in addition to belly growth, the breasts grow as well. Our design, Triple B Support, is meant to alleviate aches presented in the lower back, support the weight of the belly, and provide comfort for sore breasts.
TRIPLE B SUPPORT
TRIPLE B SUPPORT
The goal of Triple B Support is to stabilize the spine, alleviate the weight of the pregnant belly and provide comfort for sore breasts while maintaining activity or intermission.
- Bra: includes versatile shoulder straps to fit the appropriate height of the bosom for the wearer, also nursing friendly.
- Lower Belly Band: Acts as a 'net' for the wearer and provides a lifting sensation to relieve the spine.
- Racerback Straps: Designed to meet and cross in the middle of the back, adding an extra angle of lift to the bra. The racerback design also provides stability for the spine by reducing curvature.
- Optional lower back pocket for external heating/cooling source.
Before creating our prototypes, we created some sketches and simple 3D model to get a better picture of what we wanted
FRONT VIEW
REAR VIEW
Shocker New Venture Competition Pitch
MARKET ANALYSIS
As a first year business, our goal is to target pregnant people who are uninsured and/or on Medicaid. Our product has great advantage over market products due to Triple B Support targeting 3 areas of the body, comfortable material, and accessibility. Marketing our product at $90 per unit, we expect a profit of $300,000 after costs.
A Better look at Triple B Support
MEET THE TEAM!
Jessica Gorton
Angelica Perez
Angelica is a senior majoring in Biomedical Engineering with a minor in mathematics. Following graduation, she would like to work in Female Technology and focus on innovating medical devices regarding women’s health.
LinkedIn Resume
Rahmah Alsukayr
Rahmah is a senior student from Saudi Arabia majoring in Biomedical Engineering at Wichita State University. She has a Biomaterials Engineering Certificate . Her major concentration is on Sensors and Imaging. She speaks two languages; English and Arabic. Some of her skills and experiences are: Basic Microsoft Office, SolidWorks, leadership, and problem solving.
Karen Duong
Karen is a senior majoring in Biomedical Engineering with minors in Math & ASL. She is currently an Engineering Intern at NIAR in the CAD/CAM Lab. Her current specialties include 3D modeling and Data Analysis. After graduation, Karen will finish her internship at NIAR and then transfer to Disney World where she will work as an Imagineer and train to be an ASL Interpreter for the company.
Rosa Chicas
Rosa is a senior double majoring in business administration and management with a focus in entrepreneurship and marketing as her secondary and science with a focus on nursing as her primary. After graduation she plans on working towards her MBA and MSN to open a nursing agency that specializes in hiring qualified immigrants to serve an underserved community. She speaks 3 languages which are English, Spanish, and Portuguese and she is actively learning French.
BRA SUPPORT
BELLY SUPPORT
RACERBACK
STRAPS
HEATING/COOLING
INSERT
- While considering the need for accessible, diverse, and inclusive medical devices, we were able to design a product that best suits the discomfort experienced by pregnant individuals.
- Various interviews were conducted, verifying the demand for a continuous support garment targeting LBP experienced within pregnant individuals.
- Our vision is to accelerate the innovations direct to women and their overall well-being. This includes quality of life related to physical, emotional, and mental health.
EOH Poster
FEMALE ENGINEERING MATTERS
Rahmah Alsukayr Karen Duong Jessica Gorton Angelica Perez
Our goal as F.E.M.
• As a group of women from different cultures and backgrounds we have decided to dedicate our team, F.E.M., to focusing on the needs of pregnant people using design and engineering principles.
• It is our goal as a team to create something that targets and betters the physical, mental, and emotional health of the pregnant population experiencing musculoskeletal discomfort.
Team mission statement: To advance women’s health through the development of a biodevice that will fulfill the wants and needs of women around the world.
Introduction
• During pregnancy, the belly and breasts will get noticeably larger starting around the 3-month period. Due to the growth in both the belly and the breasts, the weight of these areas also increase substantially causing discomfort for pregnant people.
• Over half of pregnant people will experience lower back pain during their pregnancy. Extreme LBP can affect a pregnant person's overall quality of life, restricting them from 'normal' daily activities. The main cause of LBP during pregnancy is due to weight gain and the stretching of muscles and ligaments within the entire body.
Market Analysis
• Out of 3.6 million pregnancies, 70% experience some sort of discomfort. • For our first year we need to target <1% of 1.8 million
• Costs for acupuncture, PT, chiropractic visits, and buying separate components for relief gets EXPENSIVE.
• Our 3 in 1 system helps bring cost down AND alleviate pain.
Design Concepts
Final Design
TRIPLE B SUPPORT
(Back, Belly, Breast Support)
Prototype testing
Stress/Strain Analysis: Performance of stress analysis in
COMSOL software to see how much load our product can
handle before ripping.
Product Maintenance: Using a standard washing/drying
machine to see how it will withstand.
-> Wash - Cold Setting
-> Dry – Low Setting
-> With/Without other clothes
Durability: Stretching the product to demonstrate the
belly and breast growth over time until it reaches a
breaking point.
Conclusion
• While considering the need for accessible, diverse, and inclusive medical devices, we were able to design a product that best suits the discomfort experienced by pregnant individuals.
• Various interviews were conducted, verifying the demand for a continuous support garment targeting LBP experienced within pregnant individuals.
• Our vision is to accelerate the innovations direct to women and their overall well-being. This includes quality of life related to physical, emotional, and mental health.