Temporomandibular joint disorder is a condition suffered by approximately ten million Americans. In mild cases it presents as occasional soreness or a clicking jaw; however, for a minority with more serious symptoms, it can cause headaches, a locked jaw, or extreme referred pain in the head and face. For those suffering from more extreme TMD, a simple pair of eyeglasses can be agonizing to wear for prolonged periods of time. Due to the low profile of TMD in global awareness and the small minority affected there exist no current working solutions to allow TMD patients regular use of eyeglasses. In this project, our team of undergraduates set out to analyze this situation combining differing insights and doctrinal approaches to inform the design of a solution. By analysis through the lens of business and humanitarian studies, we informed the prototyping and design of 3D printed attachments or modifications to a pair of glasses intended to reduce pain in TMD patients. The interdisciplinary nature of our approach helped to address the true needs of the market and ensured that we approached with understanding and compassion the needs of a community all too easily ignored by many.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Tougas, Santiago
• Carlisle, Kell
• Doherty, James

Subject

• Project-Based Learning
• Health
• Well-Being

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 109411
• E-project-050623-171649

Advisor

• Bohrer, Rose

Year

• 2023

UN Sustainable Development Goals

• 3 - Good Health and Well-being
• 10 - Reducing Inequality

Date created

• 2023-05-06

Resource type

• Interactive Qualifying Project

Source

• E-project-050623-171649

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2023-09-05