Needlestick Anxiety Remedy
(2020-2021)
Needlestick anxiety is defined as the anxiety and fear people experience when they are receiving injections. A wide range of people of different ages and demographics report that they fear vaccines, allergy tests, blood draws, and any other procedures that involve needles. The worst case of this fear is prevention of individuals from voluntarily getting vaccinated, tested for allergies, or undergoing any needle-related procedures. In the best case, an individual grows to accept needle procedures after understanding the importance of them.
Most common origins of this anxiety are either from discussions with relatives and friends or from the natural intimidation of needles. There are a range of existing methods that exist to alleviate the pain from local skin surface devices to distraction methods. Simpler methods include conversing, averting concentration gaze, or offering an incentive. Our team’s goal is to create a more consistent distraction device that improves the experience of pediatric patients from needlestick procedures.
Most common origins of this anxiety are either from discussions with relatives and friends or from the natural intimidation of needles. There are a range of existing methods that exist to alleviate the pain from local skin surface devices to distraction methods. Simpler methods include conversing, averting concentration gaze, or offering an incentive. Our team’s goal is to create a more consistent distraction device that improves the experience of pediatric patients from needlestick procedures.
Team Member Bios
Vivian Li is a sophomore undergraduate at USC studying biomedical engineering with the molecular cellular emphasis. On campus she’s involved with MEDLIFE and CHIP. In her free time, Vivian enjoys reading, baking, and traveling. She’s also doing research in the living system engineering lab at USC. Her dream is to become a doctor that combines engineering with medicine.
Christopher Kamadinata is a junior undergraduate at USC who just transferred from Montgomery College. He is studying biomedical engineering and enjoys collaborating with others through teams like MEDesign or Engineers without Borders to serve society and learn new things. Most of his time is spent studying but when he is relatively free he draws, plays mobile games, or practices percussion.
Michelle Arredondo is a sophomore undergraduate at USC studying biomedical engineering with an electrical emphasis. She is interested in pursuing a career in neuroprosthetics or biomechanics. In her free-time, Michelle enjoys playing piano and guitar.
Byron Hatch is a junior undergraduate student studying biomedical engineering. He enjoys playing music in his free time and is also a member of the Trojan Marching Band. He has a passion for medical devices and loves reading about all things neuroscience.
KayLynn Vroman is a freshman undergraduate at USC Viterbi studying cellular/molecular biomedical engineering. She’s never been on campus, so as soon as she’s there she’s excited to explore before getting involved in anything other than MEDesign and ASBME. In her spare time, she continues training for her CNA and EMT, as well as playing gacha games.
Christopher Kamadinata is a junior undergraduate at USC who just transferred from Montgomery College. He is studying biomedical engineering and enjoys collaborating with others through teams like MEDesign or Engineers without Borders to serve society and learn new things. Most of his time is spent studying but when he is relatively free he draws, plays mobile games, or practices percussion.
Michelle Arredondo is a sophomore undergraduate at USC studying biomedical engineering with an electrical emphasis. She is interested in pursuing a career in neuroprosthetics or biomechanics. In her free-time, Michelle enjoys playing piano and guitar.
Byron Hatch is a junior undergraduate student studying biomedical engineering. He enjoys playing music in his free time and is also a member of the Trojan Marching Band. He has a passion for medical devices and loves reading about all things neuroscience.
KayLynn Vroman is a freshman undergraduate at USC Viterbi studying cellular/molecular biomedical engineering. She’s never been on campus, so as soon as she’s there she’s excited to explore before getting involved in anything other than MEDesign and ASBME. In her spare time, she continues training for her CNA and EMT, as well as playing gacha games.