LIGHTAID

What it does

LightAid aims to help bystander performs more efficient CPR. By using Pascal's law to enhance force, rescuers can reserve more energy to perform longer effective CPR. LightAID also comes with a built-in AED to increase a patient's survival rate.

Your inspiration

We ever witnessed a situation where an adult collapsed on the floor due to sudden cardiac arrest. Because the location was in an alley, emergency help's arrival time might be affected. Besides calling for help, most of the bystander did not do anything because did not know what to do when cardiac arrest occurs. They do not know the proper technique and strength required in performing CPR. Also, after performing CPR for about one and a half minutes, a bystander will start to get exhausted, resulting in less and less effective CPR. These problems let our team wanted to create something to support bystanders perform more efficient first aid.

How it works

LightAID is here to help those experiencing sudden cardiac arrest. It contains AED and CPR mechanisms. The AED in lightAID is the same as any other AED on the market right now, with voice prompts and reminder lights. What makes LightAID different is that there is Pascal's hydraulic system in it. According to Pascal's principle, a change in pressure applied to an enclosed fluid is transmitted undiminished to all portions of the fluid and to the walls of its container. This can increase the force applied to them. To make the force larger, the pressure is applied to a larger area. With increased force, it can reserve more energy to perform longer effective CPR.

Design process

In the first phase of the project, we researched heavily regarding first aid, such as the products, techniques, surveys, and mechanisms that might be helpful for our concept. Our team came out with an idea to use Pascal's hydraulic system when one of our team members went to a motorcycle service center and saw a hydraulic lift. With this, we can help increase the force given by the rescuer when performing CPR. We interviewed personnel from the emergency response team and mechanical engineers to obtain all the information we need. Our team started with sketches to deal with the overall shape of the device. We also did some experiments to validate that we can use a hydraulic system by connecting different sizes of syringes to mimic the system. Because the device will be placed on top of the chest of a human body, we also did a lot of prototype models of the device to know the most suitable shape. Our primary focus during the entire development was to build a device that is portable yet contains both AED and CPR inside that can be easily used by a bystander to rescue a patient with sudden cardiac arrest in public places before the emergency response team arrived.

How it is different

The integrated CPR mechanism in LightAID makes it stands out from the others, with also loads of other features. 1)LightAID contains CPR in an AED device yet portable so it can be stored in a lot of public places. 2) The straps are used to tighten the device with the body, so it stays still when performing CPR. The strap also contains aluminum wires to make it stiff and steady when pressed just by using the weight of the arms instead of the whole body, so the rescuer does not need to lift the whole body when installing the device. 3) LightAID comes with two important functioning lights, a CPR reminder light to let rescuers know if they do it right and an AED shock warning light to warn the rescuer when AED is about to deliver a shock. 4)The triangular-shaped device helps the AED pads conveniently stored to both nearest areas of the body where AED pads are supposed to be placed.

Future plans

Our team hopes by bringing this concept theme to the public may increase awareness about sudden cardiac arrest and why basic first aid knowledge is essential in our life.

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