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“SilverAssist” is designed to be a solution to a problem faced by people with cystic fibrosis. The product particles would be inhaled and once delivered to the lungs, would deliver a gene against mucus production. The particles would be coated in silver.
- Have you ever heard of such a product in existence?
6% Yes 94%No
- Would you think our product would be successful as a good medical solution to patients with cystic fibrosis?
83%Yes 17%No
- Do you think this product is necessary and essential for patients with cystic fibrosis?
78%Yes 22%No
- Have you ever heard of nano technology?
94%Yes 6%No
- Have you ever heard of inhaling nano-particles into the body?
56%Yes 44%No
- Have you ever heard of Exubera?
33%Yes 67%No
- If you were a cystic fibrosis patient, would you participate in a clinical trial to test this product?
67%Yes 33%No
- Do you think this concept is realistic for future production?
78%Yes 33%No
- Do you think that this product would be in the average person’s price range?
44%Yes 56%No
- Do you think that this product will be endorsed by medical insurance companies to be available to the general population of cystic fibrosis patients?
72%Yes 28%No
Analysis:
Despite the fact that many have heard of the advantages of nanotechnology and the inhaling of nanoparticles, it is apparent from the survey results that not may have heard of employing silver nanoparticles as a method of gene delivery since it is a novel and effective research phenomena that has just hit the market. The population that we surveyed knew at least once victim of cystic fibrosis but could not think of an alternative solution in helping such people since there are no methods that have been clearly listed as the ultimate treatment. Therefore, seventy-eight percent of our survey population found the incorporation of nanotechnology and gene therapy as essential for such victims. Since nanotechnology and gene therapy are the forefronts in their respective fields and have fared well, many agreed that such a concept was realistic for future production. The majority of our survey population understood the potentials of such an advance for cystic fibrosis patients and stated that they would definitely participate in a clinical trial if they were diagnosed with cystic fibrosis themselves. Though fifty-six percent of our survey population considered that a patient him or herself will not be able to personally finance such a procedure, seventy-two percent agreed that insurance companies will most definitely endorse it.
Interactions with Mentor:
Describe your job, and how would it contribute to solving our problem?
My job involves designing mechanical machines and devices. The other aspect of my job is to oversee our design team to create commonality in our different projects. I use a Computer Aided Design Software (SolidWorks) which enables me to build the entire machine and perform some testing right on the computer. I create the drawings used by our machine shop to manufacture the parts and buy motors and pneumatic cylinders. The entire machine is assembled by our assembly team with my guidance. Our programming department creates the control program and brings the machine to life. Most of our machines are computer controlled with some type of robot inside. One or our devices is called the Perfusion Apparatus. This device is built into a Nikon Microscope for the purpose of injecting different medicines directly into cells for medical research. If you visit our website at www.itm-texas.com you will see what type of machines we build.
My job is well suited to contribute to this project because I have such a wide variety of companies and designs at my disposal.
What do you like best about your job?
The best thing I like about my job is the variety of projects that I get involved with. One day I am in a factory that builds engine control modules coming up with ideas for a mechanical assembly machine and the next day I might be at a giant bakery creating a way to slice cinnamon rolls so they fit into the package correctly.
What is your educational background?
I Graduated from High School and took 2 years of college courses in the engineering field, however, due to family pressures, I was unable to graduate. This has not stopped me from learning. I look for every opportunity to take in seminars and classes related to my field and have become a successful machine designer.
Thank you so much for helping us!! We look forward to further working with you!
Remember, If it was easy, everyone would be doing it.
Jim Lowery
Technologies Associated With Our Solution:
Biotechnology
A biotechnologist works with technology and biology to better the quality and usefulness of items ranging from everyday items, like disease-resistant yeast, to garments worn my astronauts used in space. Biotechnologists use instruments than can create and measure to finite proportions. A biotechnologist must graduate from college with a degree in biotechnology.
NanoTechnology
A nanotechnologist works at the atomic level to create products that can be used in fields ranging from chemistry to law to computer software – for example, stain resistant clothing. Because of this wide range of possibilities, a nanotechnologist needs to be very adept at math, and have a degree in a science or engineering field. Most have an advanced degree, such as a Masters or Doctorate.
Chemical Engineering
The third technological career involved in SilverAssit is chemical engineering, a career involved in converting raw materials and chemicals into more useful and valuble forms. For this career, an important sense of research and development is key, just like our team researched crucially on cystic fibrosis and silver nanoparticles and developed the idea of SilverAssist. A bachelors in chemistry or chemical engineering is deemed absolutely significant in this career. The biotechnology field has a need for chemical engineers, which may provide additional job growth for chemical engineers.
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