Difference between revisions of "Team:Technion Israel/Design"

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<p>The comb, on its own, is not customized enough to fit our purposes.  Therefore, we needed to consider how exactly our formula would be incorporated into the comb.  At first we considered using two small containers which would be opened by the consumer and placed in the comb.  However, after putting some thought into it, we realized that this strategy could be messy and inconvenient.  It also left us with a product requiring two different types of genetically modified bacteria being placed on the head.  Therefore, we developed the idea of using a syringe.</p>
 
<p>The comb, on its own, is not customized enough to fit our purposes.  Therefore, we needed to consider how exactly our formula would be incorporated into the comb.  At first we considered using two small containers which would be opened by the consumer and placed in the comb.  However, after putting some thought into it, we realized that this strategy could be messy and inconvenient.  It also left us with a product requiring two different types of genetically modified bacteria being placed on the head.  Therefore, we developed the idea of using a syringe.</p>
 
<p>The syringe above is a model of our syringe design.  The <i>E. coli</i> overproducing NADPH is represented by the red section.  It will be present in the syringe at the time the consumer purchases it.  The blue section represents the <i>B. subtilis</i> secreting the 3α-HSD.  The <i>B. subtilis</i> will be sucked into the syringe from a container also purchased by the consumer.  In between the sections is a filter membrane- small enough to allow the NADPH to pass through, while preventing the <i>E. coli</i> from passing through and reaching the user's scalp.  As the piston is pressed during use, the NADPH will pass through the membrane and into the <i>B. subtilis</i> containing solution.  This mixture will reach the scalp of the user, creating an environment which contains enough NADPH for the 3α-HSD enzyme to work efficiently to break down the DHT in the hair follicles.</p>
 
<p>The syringe above is a model of our syringe design.  The <i>E. coli</i> overproducing NADPH is represented by the red section.  It will be present in the syringe at the time the consumer purchases it.  The blue section represents the <i>B. subtilis</i> secreting the 3α-HSD.  The <i>B. subtilis</i> will be sucked into the syringe from a container also purchased by the consumer.  In between the sections is a filter membrane- small enough to allow the NADPH to pass through, while preventing the <i>E. coli</i> from passing through and reaching the user's scalp.  As the piston is pressed during use, the NADPH will pass through the membrane and into the <i>B. subtilis</i> containing solution.  This mixture will reach the scalp of the user, creating an environment which contains enough NADPH for the 3α-HSD enzyme to work efficiently to break down the DHT in the hair follicles.</p>
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<h2>Focus Group Survey</h2>
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<h2><b>Focus Group Survey</b></h2>
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<p>Consumer feedback and comfort of use was one of our main concerns when developing the comb and syringe.  Once the final prototype of the comb was printed, we developed a focus group survey.  The 15 respondents including balding and bald men.  Their responses to our questions are featured below.</p>
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</br><p><b>What is your age?</b></p>
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<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/1/1d/Technion_iGEM_2015_Design_Focus_survey_1.png"/>
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</br><p><b>How comfortable is the comb to use <i>(1-no comfortable at all, 5- extremely comfortable)</i>?</b></p>
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<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/f/fe/Technion_iGEM_2015_Design_Focus_survey_2.png"/>
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</br><p><b>After using the comb, would you prefer to:</br></p>
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<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2015/2/24/Technion_Israel_2015_design_survey_3.png"/>
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</br><p><b>In order to spread the product uniformly on the back of my head I would:</b></p>
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<h2>Efficiency of the Comb</h2>
 
<h2>Efficiency of the Comb</h2>
 
<h2>Conclusion</h2>
 
<h2>Conclusion</h2>

Revision as of 19:20, 12 September 2015

Team: Technion 2015

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Design

Why design?

When we came up with the idea of having two different types of bacteria work together to break down dihydrotestosterone (DHT), we were faced with a serious challenge. We suspected that consumers would be discouraged by a product requiring the application of two different types of bacteria and,in addition, we were hesitant about the safety repercussions. While our project involved using genetically engineered bacteria for two purposes, and therefore two types of bacteria, we wanted to find a way to prevent the Escherichia coli from reaching the consumer's scalp, in order to increase the chances of the Bacillus subtilis's survival, and to minimize side effects that may occur with the use of such a product.

The solution was found through consulting with multiple academics and an industrial engineer. After the final prototype was printed, we conducted a focus group survey about the comfort and efficiency of using the comb.

The Comb

  • Prototype #1

    We started from a very basic design, focusing on the initial solution for applying the formula onto the user's scalp. At first, it looks very simple- like nothing special characterizes it.

    However, within, the pathways are structured in such a way to uniformly distribute the treatment formula to the scalp. Simultaneously, the comb massages the scalp, removing excessive fat and helping restoring the hair follicle growth.

  • Prototype #2

    We directed our focus on improving the flow through the pathways. We moved the entranceway for the treatment formula to the middle and started considering about a comfortable way for the user to hold the comb.

  • Prototype #3

    A mechanism for even flow was used. To obtain even flow in each pathway and comb tooth, we consulted with Dr. Moran Bercovici from Technion's Microfluidic Laboratory. The result was a specially designed tube geometry. From the syringe entry at the top of the comb, each pathway splits, resulting
    in 16 parallel,
    even-flow, square
    tubes at the fluid
    exit to the scalp.

    For flow equations, we selected a viscosity, bearing in mind
    that our formula must stay on the scalp and, of course, must not reach to the user's eyes and clothes. With the help of industrial engineer Ms. Lotem Shmuel, a handle was designed and added to the comb for extra comfort in use.

  • Prototype #4

    The final prototype for the iGEM 2015 competition

    The final model has a unique, aesthetic design. It can be easily adjusted to fit any hand size.

    After fulfilling the criteria for efficiency and cleanness, we turned our attention to the aesthetic demands as well as accommodating the responses we received from our focus group (see results below).

    From the first draft to the final product presented to you, the comb planning process focused on the ease of use, together with an innovative and eye-catching design which intrigues the user from first sight.


The Syringe

syringe

The comb, on its own, is not customized enough to fit our purposes. Therefore, we needed to consider how exactly our formula would be incorporated into the comb. At first we considered using two small containers which would be opened by the consumer and placed in the comb. However, after putting some thought into it, we realized that this strategy could be messy and inconvenient. It also left us with a product requiring two different types of genetically modified bacteria being placed on the head. Therefore, we developed the idea of using a syringe.

The syringe above is a model of our syringe design. The E. coli overproducing NADPH is represented by the red section. It will be present in the syringe at the time the consumer purchases it. The blue section represents the B. subtilis secreting the 3α-HSD. The B. subtilis will be sucked into the syringe from a container also purchased by the consumer. In between the sections is a filter membrane- small enough to allow the NADPH to pass through, while preventing the E. coli from passing through and reaching the user's scalp. As the piston is pressed during use, the NADPH will pass through the membrane and into the B. subtilis containing solution. This mixture will reach the scalp of the user, creating an environment which contains enough NADPH for the 3α-HSD enzyme to work efficiently to break down the DHT in the hair follicles.

Focus Group Survey

Consumer feedback and comfort of use was one of our main concerns when developing the comb and syringe. Once the final prototype of the comb was printed, we developed a focus group survey. The 15 respondents including balding and bald men. Their responses to our questions are featured below.


What is your age?


How comfortable is the comb to use (1-no comfortable at all, 5- extremely comfortable)?


After using the comb, would you prefer to:


In order to spread the product uniformly on the back of my head I would:

Efficiency of the Comb

Conclusion

After much though and effort, the final comb apparatus presented for the competition was the result.

The comb provides clear and defined benefits compared to a topical mixture applied with the hands or gloves:

  1. Cleanliness- The comb and syringe combination allows the consumer to apply the product, whilst never having to touch the bacteria.
  2. Reusable-The reusable comb can be sterilized with ethanol between uses, while the syringe can be sterilized with ethanol as well and then discarded. The result is a relatively environmentally friendly product.
  3. Uniform application-The comb apparaturs, along with the syringe, offers an integrative solution to combining the components of our formula, while allowing for comfortable and uniform application on the scalp of the consumer. This helps ensure that each hair follicle is reached, making our product as effective as possible.
  4. Efficient-The scalp is covered by a thin, oily layer of fatty deposits, as well as dead skin cells, which must be penetrated in order to reach the hair follicle. Our comb offers a gentle way to overcome this layer, hopefully leading to better penetration of the 3a-HSD protein into the hair follicle. Additionally, stimulation of the scalp has been found to increase blood flow to the area, helping encourage hair growth and hair follicle restoration. The comb teeth can provide this stimulation.

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