Button Box
For Duke Health Acceldys Study
Fall 2024
Duke Health, Department of Neuroscience
Skills
CAD, 3D Printing
Motivation + Design Critera
The Acceldys fMRI study, run by Dr. Noreen Bukhari-Parlakturk, aimed to replace traditional rest-fMRI runs with task-fMRI runs where musicians perform right-hand movements reflective of their musical instruments. This study includes participants who are pianists, typists, and banjo players, all experiencing symptoms in their right hand. For the pianists, the study requires the use of two button boxes to record right-hand movements during fMRI scans.
I designed a case that securely houses the button boxes during the MRI scan. The case is ergonomic, easily removable using snap joints, and safe to use in an MRI machine.
Ideation
I explored iterations using MRI safe springs and snap joints to secure the boxes in place. I also experimented with printing two cases that attached together using a dovetail and were held in place by top piece
CAD Design
The first iteration served as a sizing test. In the next iteration, I refined the design to be more ergonomic and easier to put together. Designing snap joints had a learning curve! The joints shown above were much too small and broke easily.
The selected design consisted of two cases that slide together to attach. Two top pieces fit over the top of the boxes and snap into place using button snap joints. The multi part design was choosen so that the case could be manufactured easily on one printer bed.
Prototyping
Around 10 iterations and a few more fit tests
