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ACE (Anal Cancer Evaluation)

Anal Cancer Screening Model

Member profile details

Membership level

2018-2019 Team

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Team Name

ACE (Anal Cancer Evaluation)

Project Title

Anal Cancer Screening Model

Design Challenge

Current studies have reported a rising incidence of anal cancer around the world. Individuals infected with HPV, the human papillomavirus, are at a higher risk for developing anal cancer, particularly those that are also HIV-positive, and routine screenings are recommended for this high-risk population. However, national guidelines for anal cancer screening do not exist and current practices are generally based on the guidelines for cervical cancer screening. In addition to the complexity of the anal canal structure, the techniques required for anal cancer screening are unfamiliar to and difficult for many clinicians, resulting in a limited number of trained professionals for a disease with a growing number of patients that need screening. Thus, training medical practitioners in all income settings is a challenge. A cost-effective, detailed, and interactive model of the anal canal used to teach providers how to use an anoscope for high resolution anoscopy, adequately visualize anal tissue and apply contrast agents, and perform an anal biopsy would allow healthcare providers to develop the skills necessary to execute precise routine screenings for anal cancer on high-risk individuals.

Design Summary

For our anal cancer screening model, we aim to create an anatomically and procedurally accurate training apparatus. For our high-fidelity prototype, we developed a model of the anus in three different parts. We created an anal canal and rectum using pieces of foam wrapped in plastic tablecloth and created a replaceable anal transitional zone segment with folds using silicon and foam. The entire model is held within an openable PVC pipe and is held up with a wooden box stand. For the model, we used birch plywood, wood glue, a laser cutter, clamps, 3 in. x 2 ft. PVC Sch. 40 Pipe, a latch, a hinge, screws, a screw driver, foam, silicon baking sheets, clear nylon thread, spray on glue, and plastic table cloth.

The purpose of the training model is to train healthcare providers in screening techniques, so the model’s most important design criterion is Education. We tested this by administering a series of pre- and post-tests to inexperienced subjects, and found that using the training model significantly improved their knowledge and skills. Additionally, the training model needs to be anatomically accurate; the similarity of the model to an actual anal structure is essential in training users to perform the procedures in real life. We tested this criterion by administering a Likert Scale survey to providers who had observed the procedure. Since the survey scores averaged to a 3.62 out of 5, we concluded that our model's anatomical accuracy needed to be improved. Because the anal cancer training model needs to be used repeatedly by users, the durability of the model is also an important design criteria. Our model has 0 tears and an 18% change in diameter of the inner canal afer 100 HRA procedures were performed on it. Finally, our model cost totaled to $27.30, which was significantly lower in our cost than our target value of $60

Last Updated: 4/19/2019

Date Updated

Friday, April 19, 2019