Design Competitions

  1. RESNA (Due April 26th)

Abstract/Background/Statement of Problem or Research Question (20 points)

Does the Abstract concisely describe the content of this paper? Does the background information support the need for this study/development? Is the Statement of the Problem or Objective clear? Is reference to previous work delineated clearly (if appropriate)?

Methods/Approach/Solutions Considered (20 points)

Are the Methods/Approach clearly described and appropriate for achieving the stated objective? Is the device design appropriate and does it respond to the stated needs? Are the solutions considered consistent with current clinical practice?

Results/Resolution/Discussion/Outcome/Performance & Cost/Implications (20 points)

Are results well-documented, valid and reliable? Are the conclusions/implications reasonable? Does the discussion demonstrate how the solution addresses the issue? Is the discussion relevant to the needs described in the Problem Statement/Objective? Was an evaluation attempted? Was it relevant to the needs of potential system users? Does the resolution presented appear to be consistent with problem originally stated?

Overall Quality of Presentation (20 points)

Is the paper understandable and well-organized? Is the grammar and spelling correct? Are the figures clear? Are references provided?

Subject matter is timely and appropriate to the RESNA audience (20 points)

Is the device design and application within the interest areas of the RESNA audience? Does the design reflect a new solution, has the design process adequately considered existing solutions?

General Submission Guidelines

Authors should review the sample paper (RESNA Sample Paper.rtf) that is available on the RESNA website in the submission section in order to gain the clearest idea about style and layout guidelines. In addition, past years’ submissions can be viewed at Authors can also refer to accepted style guides, such as the Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA) (5th Edition or later).

AUTHORS

Spell out all authors’ names. Include school affiliations of each author. List complete address and email address of the first author at the end of the paper. This author must be available to assist RESNA with questions about the paper during the review process and assist with travel arrangements should the paper be a finalist in the competition.

Example: John Smith, Jane Jones, Edward Green, National University

TOPIC AREA

The author should select a topic area, described below. The topic area will be used to help categorize submissions within the submission site. Classify you paper by topic where you see fit, or select the “Uncertain” option. Should the SDC coordinators feel that your submission is incorrectly classified, they will reclassify it and notify the authors.

CAC Computer Applications & Communication

e.g. Augmentative and Alternative Communication: assessment and intervention strategies, language representation techniques, outcomes, clinical and technical AAC research and developments, funding issues, service delivery options.

e.g. Computer Access and Use: innovation in software and hardware, training strategies, Integration of computer technologies, alternative access, outcomes.

e.g. Other technology that addresses computer-use and/or various types of communication impairments.

JEA Job & Environmental Accommodation – Including Ergonomics

e.g. Access to employment, education and home environments, ergonomics, farming and other rural interventions, EADL systems, universal design of products, places, & systems

RESNA Student Design Competition Instructions – Page 4

OUT Outcome & Quantitative Measurement

e.g. Measuring/quantifying function; documenting change in performance in terms of vocational, medical or educational variables; testing validity and reliability of measurement instruments.

S Wheelchair Seating Technologies and Interventions

e.g. Wheelchair seating components and interventions, seat pressure measurement, seating in developing countries, postural support in wheelchairs

M Wheeled Mobility Technologies and Interventions

e.g. Wheeled mobility technologies (including manual wheelchairs, powered wheelchairs, scooters, and sports equipment), wheelchair transportation issues, wheeled mobility in developing countries

PP Public Policy, Advocacy, and Education

e.g. Legislation, reimbursement, service delivery programs and administration, Tech Act projects, technology transfer, telerehabilitation, AT Education, distance learning, advocacy efforts, credentialing

TCS Technology for Cognitive and Sensory Impairments

e.g., Cognitive disabilities, learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, low vision/blindness, hearing impairments, dysphasia.

OTH Other

e.g. Assistive robotics & mechatronics, functional electrical stimulation, rural rehabilitation, international appropriate technology, or if unsure which topic is the most appropriate.

ABSTRACT

The abstract should be a short summary of the overall project and should not exceed 8 lines (less than 150 words).

KEYWORDS

List 1-5 keywords that would be detectable by a search function.

Example: seating; pressure ulcers; communication rate; eye tracking; outcomes

HEADINGS

Major Section Headings should appear in all UPPERCASE and bold. Please do not change the font size.

Example: ABSTRACT, BACKGROUND, METHODOLOGY, RESULTS, DISCUSSION

Sub-Headings within a section should use initial capitals and be italics

Example: Patient Survey, Data Analysis

REFERENCES:

Within the narrative of the paper, references should be indicated with parenthetical numerals [(1), (2), (3), and so on] and numbered consecutively. A bibliographic listing of all references should appear at the end of the paper. The references should be listed in the numeric order that corresponds to the narrative. References should be formatted according to APA or similar publication style.

EXAMPLES:

Reference for a Journal Article:

1. Kohn, J. G., Le Blanc, M., & Mortola, P. (1994). Measuring quality of technology: Results of a prospective monitoring program. Assistive Technology, 6, 120-125.

Reference for a Book:

2. Fraser, B. A., Hensinger, R. N., & Phelps, J. A. (1990). Physical management of multiple handicaps (2nd ed.). Baltimore, MD: Paul H. Brookes.

RESNA Student Design Competition Instructions – Page 5

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Design teams are encouraged to provide appropriate acknowledgements for support, including mentorship received from faculty or staff, and funding provided supporting design materials.

PAPER LENGTH

Maximum paper length is 2,000 words

Minimum paper length must be at least 500 words.

Words that are part of Graphics, tables, charts, and videos will NOT count toward your maximum paper length.

ALTERNATIVE TEXT DESCRIPTIONS

Graphics in all formats are inaccessible to many people with visual disabilities. Types of graphics include: photos, equations, charts, graphs, diagrams, schematics, etc. Text descriptions for each graphic must be included as the images are entered in the RESNA SDC WordPress website.

TABLES

Tables don't need to have alternative text description; they should have a short summary description, which explains what the table content is about. For example, the summary might say, "This table displays the average propulsion force required using each of three types of wheelchair pushrim over hard level surfaces, soft surfaces, and uneven surfaces."

IMAGES, PHOTOS, DRAWINGS

All images should be uploaded to the RESNA SDC WordPress site in “.gif,” “.jpg,” or “.png” formats with size at 800/600. Alternative text must be entered as images are posted at the RESNA SDC WordPress site, and may be no more than 150 characters. The alternative text description of an image, photo, or graphic should provide the information that the image is intended to convey.

If the images contain identifiable individuals who are not the authors of the paper, an image release should be signed and submitted. RESNA’s image release is included at the end of this document, and is posted at the RESNA SDC website. This must be signed and returned as an email attachment to

SOUND/VIDEOS

Short videos of less than 3 minutes can be uploaded to YouTube, and authors can link to the YouTube video from their page on the RESNA SDC site. Additional details are available at All sound and videos must be closed-captioned, instructions for this process are provided at

If the video contains identifiable individuals who are not the authors, an image release should be signed and submitted. RESNA’s image release is included at the end of this document , and is posted at the RESNA SDC website. This must be signed and returned as an email attachment to

REMEMBER:

Your paper should not exceed 2,000 words of text. You can have an unlimited number of graphics in the submission.

Need two pictures of authors, one with the device and one without

2. BME idea(Due May 6th)

Required components
The following documents are required as part of your BMEidea application and must be included in the following order, combined together in a single PDF:

1. Narrative (no more than 10 pages)
2. Key team member resumes (limit of three pages per resume)

Narrative description guidelines
The narrative may not exceed 10 pages in length (double-spaced, 12 point font). Please include any images referenced in your narrative in the body of the narrative, NOT as appendices. Please prepare a narrative description that includes the following:

  • Executive summary(2 pages). An outline of the strategy for commercialization and opportunity statement. See below for additional details.
  • Description of the problem to be solved(no more than 1/2 page). What is the problem you have solved? What are the market and/or industry needs that you intend to address?
  • Project objective statement(no more than 1/2 page). How does your team intend to address the problem? How does your final design solve the problem?
  • Documentation of the final design(1 page). Be sure to include applicable standards and a risk analysis.
  • Prototype of the final design(1 page). Paste graphical representations and photographs in the document and, if available, provide a link to a video.
  • Proof that the design is functional and will solve the problem(1 page). Include test data, market research or pre-clinical/clinical trials.
  • Results of a patent search and/or search for prior art, assessment and patentability(1 page). Two excellent resources for this search are and your institution's technology transfer office. Regarding marketplace competition, what is currently being used to solve the problem and/or what are the anticipated alternate methods that could be in competition with you in the future?
  • Anticipated regulatory pathway(510(k) vs. PMA, etc.) (1/2 page). Consider researching how the FDA has treated analogous devices.
  • Reimbursement(1/2 page). Do you expect your device to be reimbursable by Medicare/Medicaid? Why or why not?
  • Estimated manufacturing costs(1 page). Provide detailed per unit cost breakdown, including volume discount, for components, final assembly, quality assurance, etc.
  • Potential market(1 page). Who would your customers be (i.e., who will be purchasing the product) and who would the end users be (i.e., who would be using the product? If possible, quantify the number of potential users and the benefit they would receive from use of the product. Define the potential market size, selling price, and distribution channels.

What's in an Executive Summary? An executive summary summarizes all of the above and serves as a stand-alone justification for why this idea should be pursued. Be sure to address the essentials, including:

  • Problem: What is the problem you aim to solve?
  • Solution: How will you solve it?
  • Competition: What are alternate methods of solving the problem or anticipated methods that could be in competition with you in the future?
  • Differentiation: Why will people choose your solution over others?
  • Technical Feasibility: Have you done it and can it be done?
  • Regulatory and Reimbursement: What FDA approvals will be required? What Medicare/Medicaid strategy is needed?
  • Sales and Marketing: What is the estimated size of the market (with rationale)? Who is the buyer/customer/user? Who will they buy it from? At what pricing?

Additional (optional) supporting documents
Up to five additional appendices may be included in your proposal and must be uploaded as one merged PDF. Appendices may include but are not limited to:

  1. Letter(s) of support. Applicants are strongly encouraged to include at least one letter of support from an industry mentor and/or faculty advisor, if applicable, who has worked with the team, attesting to the quality of the work they have done.
  2. Images demonstrating design and/or technical feasibility (drawings, photographs, etc.)
  3. A summary of prior art
  4. Literature review
  5. Any data collected as part of testing your technology
  6. Any other relevant supporting materials

3.NCEES (Due May6th (Mailed in))

  • A completedentry form (PDF), signed by your dean (or similar title)
  • Anabstract(maximum one page)
  • Aproject description(maximum seven pages) organized as follows:
  • Project description
  • Collaboration of faculty, students, and licensed professional engineers
  • Benefit to public health, safety, and welfare
  • Multidiscipline and/or allied profession participation
  • Knowledge or skills gained
  • Development since previous submission (for resubmitted entries)
  • Minimum12-point type and 1″ margins(all sides) for both the abstract and project description
  • A graphic/textdisplay, mounted on one 30″ x 30″ foam core board
  • Electronic copiesof the abstract and project description (Word or PDF) and display board (as a 300 dpi jpg, tif, or eps OR a high-quality print PDF, with separate files of images used in the display board

Identifying information should be included only on the entry form.The university name and location and names of the participants (personal or firm/organization) should not be identified in the project description, abstract, or display board.Click herefor tips on making your submission anonymous.