Excelolife Products: The Rotaban System
The Rotaban System is an electronic retractable programmable multistage food portioning apparatus. It is a retractable belt, band or ring. The device gradually reduces the amount of food consumed in stages. The device was developed to help morbidly obese, obese and overweight patients correctly assess how much food they are eating. We believe our product and services will significantly change unhealthy eating behaviors and have a positive change in body mass. Our product and program are aimed at weight-control and chronic disease prevention. We believe our method would have a profound impact on the way patient’s diet, exercise and control their weight.
The specific work required for the project is a technical team of product developers and engineers for testing component analysis and prototype building. We also need software development and mobile application development. The goal is to develop a functional prototype. The MAE portion of this project will focus on material issues that occurred during the initial prototyping.
Project Description
The Rotaban System is an electronic retractable device that decreases and increases to the correct portion size. The apparatus allows food to be placed within it and then removed. There is a food indicator line to prevent over-filling the device. Our method gives the body time to gradually adjust to each portion size stage. When desired weight-loss is achieved, then user continues to the next stage. The Rotaban, Gradual Portion Reduction Method is a four stage portion control system. It reduces in size from stage 0 to 3 or 10 ounces of food to 4 ounces. The BMI, Body Mass Index Chart is used to determine the BMI range and weight status. The Rotaban will determine the users BMI range and weight status and will automatically adjust to the correct portion size stage. For example, if the user BMI is 3.0 or above, he or she will start at stage 0 and gradually reduce portion size from 0,1,2,3. Stage 3 is the final maintenance stage. Once user is on the smallest portion size (stage 3) he or she must continue eating at stage 3 to maintain desired weight.
The Rotaban System will have mobile application and Bluetooth Wireless Technology. Using the mobile application, the user will download app from Excelolife website, Apple or Google Play Store. The user will input personal profile data such as: weight, height age, sex and other pertinent medical, health, and physical activity information. The Rotaban System will assess and analyze patient’s personal and health data and determine the best weight management program for patient. All information will be sync to Rotaban System and all electronic devices using Bluetooth Wireless Technology. To accomplish our goal, we would require web design, software development and data programming and analysis. The Rotaban will help patients: assess how much food they are eating, help patients control their portion size, keep track of patient’s diet patterns and physical activity and give patients healthy food options.
The electronic component and features are power battery source, senor, and digital display board with multifunctional read out, an alphanumeric keypad, switch, memory card or SD slot, motherboard, control panel, remote, speakers with mobile app, cloud, and software capabilities.
The project materials will consist of Polypropylene Resin, a Low-Density Polyethylene Resin, or Thermoplastic Resin. The thickness of band or belt will be ¼ or 0.25. The height of band would be 2 inches and 25 inches in length. The plastic must be flexible, durable and heat resistant. The device would have a minimal temperature range of 20 degrees Fahrenheit and maximum temperature of 330 degrees Fahrenheit. The prototype would be constructed using Stereolithography Rapid Prototyping or 3D Printing Technology. Manufacturing process would be Injection Molding. The device will have digital circuit design and Bluetooth Wireless Technology. The device will have electromechanical components. There will be a control panel encasement. The device will have an internal rotating components, pulley system or motorized locking system which will allow device to lock to each portion size stage.
In 2012, our company built a 3D printing prototype for our manual version of our product the Portion Reducer. However, the plastic used did not have the flexibility we needed. We believe the STL was not done correctly and plastic used was too rigid.
Overall Project Goals and Expectations
We hope to achieve a workable prototype and proof of concept. With the development of the Rotaban System and the implementation of our weight management program, patients will manage their illness, nutrition and health better. We believe our product and program would address the needs of morbidly obese, obese and overweight patients. This would be a significant achievement for our company in obesity research, diet, weight control, and chronic disease prevention. We believe we have a novel product and weight management approach to help patients eat healthy and live longer. A successful project would help millions of morbidly obese, obese and overweight patients who suffer from obesity related illnesses such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular diseases.
Contact: Matt Ulinski (mu25@cornell.edu)