NxStage Medical

While working on this machine, I conducted fluid lab testing to establish baselines and investigate the effects of various systems control variables on the pressures to improve efficiency and reliability. Understanding how different variables affect the waveform help us predict how the treatment will behave and how we can compensate for it. This involved designing flow paths and testing setups, machine troubleshooting, and rigorous testing procedures. Throughout my co-op, the prototype underwent substantial changes, each greatly increasing its performance and robustness. 

One of the key steps we took in the design process of the machine was the development of a new pre-treatment calibration sequence. Much had changed in our flow path since my co-op had started, and the calibration sequence became outdated. This involved reassigning calibration target sensors, breaking down the planned steps, then outlining the actions that needed to occur at each step. We drafted an initial procedure and performed each step manually, recording trends and making adjustments to the procedure as needed. Once we were getting consistent improvement in the key metric, we then automated the new calibration sequence, resulting in a 75% reduction in observable error.

Another important component was to demonstrate interoperability with another team's prototype, as the two systems are meant to work together in the final product. To achieve this, I collaborated with the other team's engineers in connecting our systems and designing tests that would demonstrate their compatibility as well as their ability to compensate for any changes on either end. We successfully solved the errors that arose and showed that the systems were interoperable.