Determining the Site

Having established the goal of designing a device with dual functions - preventing cholera (straw filter) as well as treating cholera (ORS - Oral Rehydration Solution, my next step is to determine where on the body this device can be kept. Having learned that cholera is a leading cause of the high death rate of children in impoverished regions, I have decided to design a device targeted towards children.

Therefore, the following are high on my list of design consideration priorities:

• designing a storage device for one treatment of ORS - this includes 1 tsp. of salt, 8 tsp. of sugar, and 1 liter of clean water (approx. 2.205 lbs.)
• finding a site on the child's body that can bear the weight of 2.205 lbs. of water for long periods of time on a daily basis in such a way that does not inhibit the child's physical activities
• determining the proper materials to store the ORS that can be exposed to hot climates for long periods of time that will keep the required liter of clean water clean, and free of BPA and phthalates (which are harmful chemicals released from plastics when exposed to heat over a long period of time)
• distributing the weight of the device so as to reduce the overall burden on the child
• ergonomically designing the device in a way that allows the storage device to become a comfortable addition to the child's everyday apparel

My next step is to get my hands on some type of child mold or model in order to design accordingly to my site. Any suggestions?

AquaSafeStraw

Here is one solution already in existence that purifies drinking water: the AquaSafeStraw.

(http://www.aquasafestraw.com/)

Facts About Cholera

(http://volunteer-nepal.abroaderview.org/#health)

Cholera is an acute, diarrheal illness caused by infection of the intestine with the bacterium vibrio cholerae. The infection is often mild or without symptoms, but sometimes can be severe. (CDC.gov) Cholera is FOUND in brackish rivers and coastal waters as well as undercooked shellfish in the Gulf of Mexico. In an epidemic, the source of the contamination is usually the feces of an infected person. Cholera is TRANSMITTED by consuming contaminated water, food, and vegetables, soiled hands (of infected persons) contaminating food and water, and fish taken from contaminated water and served raw. The PRIMARY VICTIMS of cholera are those in poverty in under-developed nations without access to a clean water source. Since 1995, over 80% of the reported cases have occured in Africa. The SYMPTOMS include profuse watery diarrhea, vomiting, circulatory collapse, and shock. Patients can be TREATED with oral rehydration solution - which is used throughout the world to treat diarrhea. Severe cases also require intravenous fluid replacement. With prompt rehydration, fewer than 1% of cholera patients die.

Information gathered from:

http://www.cdc.gov/nczved/dfbmd/disease_listing/cholera_gi.html

http://www.who.int/topics/cholera/en/

THE CHALLENGE:

Cholera is an epidemic among poor nations without the proper infrastructure for sewage and water treatment systems. Without a water treatment system, when a water source is contaminated (often by an infected person's fecal runoff) entire communities are at risk. Cholera can be easily avoided with proper hygiene practices, and by using only clean water to prepare foods or as drinking water. The majority of people are affected by cholera because they do not have access to clean water. One way to stop the spread of cholera is to cut off the source - which would involve installing the proper infrastructure for sewage water treatment systems in entire communities; a more feasible and immediate solution would be to put the onus on the individual to purify his/her own drinking/cooking water. This leads me to investigate the creation of a pre-cautionary device that can be used before ingestion along with a mechanism for treating the individual should he/she become infected, as 99% of cholera cases are recoverable when treated with ORS.