Utilization of the System Engineering Design Process to Design and Test a Low-Cost Infectious Aerosol Control Mechanism for Patient Aeromedical Evacuation

Author

Sara Shaghaghi

Date of Award

3-2024

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Department

Department of Systems Engineering and Management

First Advisor

Jeremy M. Slagley, PhD

Abstract

The aeromedical evacuation of military patients is a critical component of care for Armed Forces members. The Air Force’s ability to transport patients relies on the technology and systems available. A vital transport responsibility is keeping the patient and medical personnel safe during transport. The historical and legacy systems provide reliable transport mechanisms for the Armed Forces’ patients infected with high-level biological agents, but drawbacks must be considered. This dissertation will discuss the development, conceptual design, and initial evaluation of a new low-cost, litter-mounted patient transport system, Biological-Mitigation in Patient Transport (B-MIPT), using the “V” model of the system engineering design process. It will also detail the system engineering methods used to derive the design requirements based on historical and legacy systems. The resultant system was tested with two potential decontamination options: ultraviolet-C (UV-C) light-emitting diodes (LEDs) at 255 nm and an in-line high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter. System verification illustrated the need for more experimentation to demonstrate the robustness of both decontamination subsystems to optimize the overall design. The best decontamination method that satisfies the design requirements can be evaluated after aerosol containment and decontamination efficiency experiments are complete. The system can potentially be used for aeromedical evacuation and as proof of concept for future designs requiring single-patient transport or replicated for mass-patient transport for individuals infected with a low-level biological agent.

AFIT Designator

AFIT-ENV-DS-24-M-162

Comments

A 12-month embargo was observed for posting this work on AFIT Scholar.

Distribution Statement A, Approved for Public Release. PA case number on file.

Recommended Citation

Shaghaghi, Sara, "Utilization of the System Engineering Design Process to Design and Test a Low-Cost Infectious Aerosol Control Mechanism for Patient Aeromedical Evacuation" (2024). Theses and Dissertations. 7796.
https://scholar.afit.edu/etd/7796