Fully Funded EPSRC DTP PhD Scholarship: Fit Achieved Through Contour Engineering to Improve Tolerance

Funding providers: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) DTP

Subject areas: Biomedical Design Engineering

Project start date: 

• 1 October 2023 (Enrolment open from mid-September)

Project description: 

Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) is a common condition where throat muscles relax during sleep, narrowing the airway, obstructing normal breathing. Airway-narrowing can occur>100x/night causing significant health problems if untreated, including cardiovascular events and strokes. The Sleep Apnoea Trust estimate>10M people have OSA in the UK with 30% not complying with therapy. The only effective treatment uses tight-fitting face masks which provide continuous positive air pressure to splint the airways open. Unfortunately, masks are uncomfortable and people stop wearing them. If mask compliance could be increased by improving the fit, it could save lives and associated health/socioeconomic costs. Currently CPAP mask fit is assessed by experienced clinicians using off-the-shelf masks. The proposed PhD addresses a gap to improve mask design and fit assessment through the development of a high-fidelity head-form. The anatomical model will include multi-layer soft tissues, a morphable soft-robotic face to facilitate shape and rigidity adaptation in specified areas simulating fatty areas often observed with users not fitting generic mask sizes (e.g. obese or differing ethnicities). Mask designs will be tested and pressure points measured leading to quantifiable and comparative comfort testing, removing the need to test on real patients and iterate mask designs rapidly at the concept stage.

You will be using hand-held scanning devices, haptic freeform modelling software and computer-aided design software (CAD), along with additive manufacturing technologies to produce moulds and prototypes. Ways of analysing the devices produced will also include non-contact measurement technologies such as digital image correlation (DIC).

Eligibility

Candidates must normally hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) in Engineering or similar relevant science discipline. 

English Language requirements: If applicable – IELTS 6.5 overall (with at least 5.5 in each individual component) or Swansea recognised equivalent. 

This scholarship is open to candidates of any nationality.

EPSRC DTP studentships are available to home and international students. Up to 30% of our cohort can comprise international students, once the limit has been reached, we are unable to make offers to international students.

We are still accepting applications from international applicants. 

Please visit our website for more information on eligibility.

Funding

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £17,668 for 2022/23).

Additional research expenses will also be available.