Werfen Team: Sara Kesan, Muna Saleh, Kelly Zhang, Heidi Suh
2022-2023: In collaboration with Werfen, this student team designed an automated sampling system for the GEM 5000 blood gas analyzer. The GEM 5000 includes a disposable cartridge that contains electrochemical sensors and solutions. Design changes to the cartridge require testing through its full lifespan, a process currently done manually by technicians. The goal of this project was to automate the testing process to reduce active engagement time for technicians.
After reviewing the current manual process, the team identified requirements for the two main elements of the automated system: mechanical components to align and present the sample reservoir to the GEM 5000, and circuitry/software to automate presentation and interaction with the GEM 5000 user interface. The team generated multiple conceptual designs for both elements, prototyped and refined the top design for each, integrated the two for a full system, and verified system functionality.. The team delivered their final design (a combination of motorized rail, rotating stage, sine plate, sensors, linear actuators, and Arduino microcontroller) and a user manual to Werfen.