A team of biomedical engineering students from the University of Florida earned national recognition as finalists in the prestigious 2024 BMES Student Design Competition, sponsored by Medtronic. This year’s competition focused on innovative solutions in four categories: mechanical/electrical, electrical/computer science, chemical/biological, and artificial intelligence/machine learning (AI/ML) applied to sports injury treatments.
The UF team, Team Easyringe, was awarded third place in the electrical/computer science category for their project, Easyringe: Voice-Controlled Syringe Pump. Team members Gabriella Flinn, Samhita Popuri, Cynthia Liu, Laurel Lapish, Chloe Lapish and Tanmayee Kolli collaborated to create a groundbreaking hands-free device aimed at enhancing clinician autonomy during medical procedures.
The Easyringe offers a unique, voice-controlled add-on for existing syringe pumps, filling a gap in the current market where no voice-operated options exist. Designed to integrate seamlessly with the FDA-approved Safer Injection for Regional Anesthesia (SAFIRA) system, the Easyringe allows clinicians to operate syringe pumps using voice commands, maintaining procedural integrity while freeing their hands for other tasks.
Key features of the Easyringe include:
- Voice Control: Utilizes an Arduino Nano 33 BLE Sense for command recognition with a 90.5% accuracy rate.
- Auditory Feedback: Includes a speaker with amplified sound for immediate response.
- Precision Performance: Delivers liquids with an accuracy of ±0.06 mL.
- Compact Design: Weighs only 2.4 pounds and operates on two batteries, ensuring portability.
- Sterility-Ready Materials: Built with PLA, a sanitizeable material suitable for sterile environments.
The prototype consists of two custom-printed circuit boards (PCBs)—one for integration with the SAFIRA system and another for speaker amplification—encased in a 3D-printed housing. MOSFET transistors, acting as “electrical buttons,” enable precise syringe pump control for aspiration and injection tasks.
Looking ahead, Team Easyringe plans to refine the device by optimizing its wiring efficiency and expanding its compatibility with other syringe pumps. The innovation exemplifies the team’s commitment to advancing medical technology through practical, accessible, and forward-thinking design.