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Winter Quarter 2011 Course Announcement
David L. Jaffe, MS and
Professor Drew Nelson |
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2011 Candidate Projects
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| Projects suggested by Eskaton
Hands-free Reading Aid Problem: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD), a disease associated with aging, gradually destroys the central vision needed for essential daily tasks such as reading, recognizing faces and detail, and driving. It is the leading cause of vision loss in Americans 60 years of age and older. Aim: Improve the industrial, mechanical and electrical design of a prototype hands-free reading aid that exploits eye physiology to provide significant improvement in reading acuity. Specifications: Targeted users are elderly people, who often have age related disabilities such as arthritis, may not be comfortable with using electronic devices, and have limited income. The design must therefore be easy to handle, highly ergonometric, lightweight, robust, simple to use, and low cost.
Educational Activities for Children with Disabilities Background: Resource Area for Teaching (RAFT) creates hands-on activity kits which 9,000 educators use to help nearly 1 million students master important concepts in school and after school each year. A large percentage of the students these educators serve have disabilities (physical, mental, or emotional). RAFT is particularly popular with these educators because our hands-on activities often seem to "open up" disabled students and get them excited about learning and participating. Problem: Special education teachers report that they often wish there were more activities focused on children with disabilities. Aim: Investigate and develop new educational activities appropriate for children with disabilities. This may include mechanical hardware and/or computer software devices that will provide interactive access for these learners. Specifications: Any solution must be appropriate for the intellectual and disability level of the students; must be very low cost; safe to use; easy to store, setup, explain, use, and ship; and must fit into the students' educational plan. Other: Access to teachers and students will be provided.
Sirott Speech Feedback Project Problem: Patients with Parkinson’s Disease typically have weakness and reduced neural drive to the muscles of speech and voice. They have problems in sensory perception, making it difficult for them to easily monitor or self-correct vocal parameters or respiratory effort as they speak. They may also lack the ability to generate sufficient physical effort to produce normal conversational vocal volume and variation in pitch. Aim: Design an unobtrusive, affordable, programmable portable device that provides feedback of speech volume, speech pitch, and respiratory effort. The device would offer users the internal cueing required to monitor their speech output and correct vocal parameters as they speak, improving their communication skills and quality of life. Specifications: The device should be able to process real-time speech and display its volume and pitch speech parameters in a variety of ways: a visual display (lights, or colored bars, or digital readout), an auditory display (beeps or spoken verbal cues), or a sensory/kinesthetic display (vibro-tactile transducer). The device should indicate when the spoken volume is too soft or too loud (given the ambient sound level in the room) and when the pitch is too low. The choice of feedback type and threshold parameters must be programmable. Suggestions: A small external sensor placed on the skin above the user's diaphragm can detect respiratory muscle effort while a vibro-tactile transducer could provide feedback to the wearer. The device could produce "background noise" which would cause the speaker to increase his/her vocal volume.
Project employing NeuroSky's MindSet brain-computer interface Background: NeuroSky's MindSet is a headset that senses and interprets EEG brainwaves and is able to determine the wearer's level of attention and meditation as well as detect when the wearer blinks. This information can be used to control a videogame or provide an interface to operate physical devices. Aim: Explore an application for a person with a disability using the MindSet brain-computer interface product. Examples include the control of household appliances (lights, TV, music system), operation of Bluetooth devices (iPhone), construction of an on-screen keyboard, and design of a communication system for non-vocal users with limited manipulation skills. Specifications: The device should be appropriate for the user's abilities and be simple to configure and use.
Projects suggested by Norell Prosthetics Orthotics 1. Upper Extremity Prosthetic for Paddling a Canoe Problem: An upper limb amputee from Hawaii wants to compete in the Ironman competition, but her existing prosthetic hook prevents her from adequately grasping a canoe paddle for one contest event. Aim: Investigate designs that would enable this athlete to participate in the canoe portion of the Ironman race. Specifications: The device should be waterproof, easy to put on, and perform well in the canoeing event.
2. Independent Foot Positioning Aid Problem: Individuals who have limited use of their arms and legs have difficulty transferring to and from their wheelchair or scooter because they do not have sufficient arm strength to move their legs. Aim: Investigate designs that would enable these individuals to reposition their legs during transfers. Specifications: The device should be small, portable, and strong.
3. Multi-axis Wheelchair Footrest Problem: Individuals with various foot deformities require a non-standard wheelchair footrest. Aim: Investigate designs for a footrest mechanism that is adjustable in multiple planes. Specifications: The device must be strong, have adequate adjustability, and be compatible with standard wheelchairs.
4. Aid for Donning Compression Stockings Problem: Graduated compression
stockings are used to support the leg's venous and lymphatic systems. The
maximum compression is at the foot and ankle and gradually decreases up the
calf. Aim: Explore designs for a simple device that will assist these individuals in rolling on or pulling up their compression stockings. Specifications: While there are several aids on the market, most are still too difficult for many individuals to use, resulting in frustration and refusal to use them. Commercial devices include those made from PVC tubing or wire cages; others consist of nylon slippers for open-toe stockings. Suggestions: Perhaps some type of roller system could help these individuals don their stockings.
5. Improved Goniometer Problem: A goniometer is an instrument that measures body joint angles and is commonly used in physical therapy facilities and in the prosthetic and orthotic professions. Accurately measuring the angle of a hip relative to the trunk can be extremely hard to achieve with current products due to the lack of a good measurement technique and difficulty in identifying anatomical reference points, especially if the person being measured has a contracture, is obese, or rotates his/her pelvis. Aim: Develop a goniometer device that can measure body joint angles and can identify contractures and ranges of motion (in degrees). Specifications: The device should address sources of inaccuracies in both technique and measurement.
6. Improved Three-Point Pressure Brace Problem: Three-point pressure bracing in orthotics (knee, ankle, foot) has always been bulky and cumbersome. A simpler brace would be more comfortably worn for a longer time. Aim: Design a knee brace or ankle foot brace that is both inexpensive and simple. It must incorporate adjustability both medially and laterally and allow for anterior and posterior free motion. Specifications: Commercial products are made of carbon-fiber, titanium, or aluminum and are often bulky and difficult to wear. A simple design employing a knee sleeve or a simple hinge and strap and using body forces to correct the angle would be beneficial.
7. Improved Prosthetic Pyramid System Background: Most lower extremity prosthetics are endo-skeletal or modular and are adjusted by a "pyramid system" which consists of a pyramid on a half-sphere connected by a set of four screws on a metal tube clamp. Problem: Advances in medicine and surgical technique now allow doctors to save more of the residual limbs of amputees. Accordingly, prosthetic manufacturers are making longer feet. In these cases, amputees are limited to a small selection of prosthetic feet due to lack of space between the socket and the floor. If the components were thinner, patients would have a greater foot lever, giving them more choices in the prosthetic feet they can wear. Aim: To provide more choices for amputees, explore materials (perhaps aircraft aluminum) and/or designs that would provide similar strength in a smaller size. Specifications: The components need to be made more compact yet still remain strong enough to support body weight and accommodate body motion. Suggestions: Titanium, aluminum, and steel are materials currently used for prosthetics. Investigate other designs and materials that could be used between the socket and the foot to provide a smaller, thinner pyramid system.
8. Recording Tape Measure Problem: Many anatomical measurements are needed in the medical profession. However, the current tape measurement routine is not ideal: one first needs to position the tape to make a measurement, then release the tape to record the value, and then re-position the tape to make more measurements. Prosthetists, therapists, and other rehabilitation professionals would greatly benefit from an improved measurement device. Aim: Develop a tape measurement system that is able to record 20 to 25 readings. Specifications: This device needs to be flexible enough to measure circumferences of anatomical body parts. A fabric material should provide the required strength and flexibility.
9. Weight Distribution Monitor Problem: Amputees, polio survivors, and those with leg deformities frequently do not distribute their weight equally while standing and walking. This situation can result in abnormal gait and posture, as well as possible musculoskeletal injury. Aim: Prototype a device to monitor and display standing weight distribution for use by a therapist in a clinical setting (which could include parallel bars). Specifications: Weight distribution should be displayed on one compact unit and should be able to track changes in real-time.
10. Shock Absorbing Brace Problem: Polio survivors who wear braces often experience discomfort and musculoskeletal injury due to the transmission of force up the legs during walking. The stiff nature of braces facilitates this force transmission. Aim: Explore a brace design that includes a mechanism to attenuate the transmitted force and thus reduce the risk of injury and discomfort. Specifications: The brace design must be strong enough to support the user as well as be durable.
Projects for veterans with traumatic brain injury 1. Visual Balance Project Problem: Aim: Explore designs for a device/research to monitor/improve balance perhaps using virtual reality. Specifications: 2. Audio Reminder Project Problem: Aim: Explore designs for a simple audio-based reminder system for a patient with severe traumatic brain injury who can't use other visual-based devices due to poor vision. Specifications:
Projects with veterans with spinal cord injury 1. Problems and needs expressed at SCI Peer Support Group Meeting
2. Wheelchair brackets, accessible digital camera, lap tray system
Lat Pull Exercise Station for Wheelchair Users Background: TriActive America, Inc. has been the leader in outdoor exercise equipment for the last several years with the goal of providing an alternative solution to our nation's growing obesity problem. Our products range from traditional push-up and pull-up bars to elliptical trainers and chest presses. These units employ kinesiology, simple mechanics, and weather-resistant materials to utilize a portion of the user's body weight as training resistance. When purchased by municipalities, schools, etc., this equipment is installed in fitness parks and trails, providing free use for anyone, in the beauty of the outdoors. Recently, we have teamed with the Spinal Cord Injury Center at the VA Palo Alto Health Care System to develop exercise stations that target the rehabilitation and fitness needs of veterans who use wheelchairs. Problem: Because our exercise stations are available to anyone in public areas, we have designed the machines for a fixed level of resistance for average-sized users. No one station accommodates all sizes and fitness abilities, due to the hazard of moving parts, lack of supervision, weight of the materials (powder coated steel tubes), and the cost of developing new products. (Imagine an indoor exercise station one sees in a gym installed in a park and left for the scrutiny of vandals, the weather, and a child's imagination.) These design limitations are further exacerbated by wheelchair users who have large variations in the size of their wheelchairs, type of wheelchairs (e.g. manual versus powered wheelchair), physical abilities, and who may require additional considerations such as increased knee clearance and hand grip adaptations to permit safe and effective use of the equipment. Aim: Develop a design concept and a prototype for a portion of our Wheelchair Lat Pull product that will safely and easily vary the resistance and accommodate various wheelchair types and sizes. This adjustment device could be utilized in other exercise stations and products. Specifications: Consider a pull-pin device, ratcheting gear and pinion, or other simple mechanical system to provide adjustability of the prototype. The solution must be weather resistant, so material selection should be a consideration. The unit must be manually-operated with no electronics, pneumatic, or hydraulic assistance unless factors like the weather (from Minnesota to Arizona to Hawaii), maintenance (easily fixed or replaced), and functionality are considered. Safety is critical, so pinch and crush points must be avoided during both the adjustment and operation of of the exercise unit.
Low Cost Transfer Device Problem: Aim: Develop a low cost transfer device for use in the home of a wheelchair user. Specifications:
Hybrid drive for RoChair and RoTrike Problem: Aim: Develop a hybrid (manual and electric) add-on drive for existing products: RoChair and RoTrike. Specifications:
Data Sensing & Logging for Scheiman Rebuild Fitness Products Background: Scheiman Rebuild Fitness (SRF) offers a line of simple, functional, and affordable products that enable individuals with physical and neurological impairments (especially those recovering from stroke) to engage in repetitive, muscle firing, load bearing exercises to achieve a higher level of fitness. Many of these products adapt and assist users in operating standard exercise equipment. Problem: Measuring exercise parameters are necessary in determining effort, physical improvements, and compliance. SRF would like to include these capabilities in their product line. Aim: Explore design concepts to add sensing, data logging, and reporting to SRF products. Specifications: The ideal design should be inter-operable between products. It should be compact, battery operated, and measure time of day, number of cycles, and exercise effort. The data should be either stored for subsequent uploading to a PC or wirelessly communicated to a host computer.
Projects for persons recovering from stroke
No-Fall Cane Problem: Many individuals, especially older adults with gait disturbances, balance disorders, joint replacements, etc need assistive devices such as walkers or canes to provide stability while walking, standing, sitting down, and getting up. Although walkers provide stability, they are both bulky and embarrassing to use. They must be folded and put into the trunk of the car, or at least in the back seat. Many people would rather stay home than use a walker in public. In addition, educating people to use walkers correctly so they are not "hunched over" is a persistent problem. Canes are more portable, lighter in weight, easier to manage, and much less of an embarrassment. However, one significant problem with canes is that they are they are always falling down when they are not being used! Canes placed against a wall or a table inevitably slide to the ground. People who use canes are not often able to bend over safely to pick them up. While quad canes provide more stability and can stand on their own, they are very unsafe, as people often trip over them when they step forward. Aim: The aim of this project is to explore designs for a normal, one-pointed cane that does not fall over. Specifications: The design must be lightweight and very simple. It most likely will have some internal mechanism to prevent it from falling over. Ideally it would stand freely on the ground even if not being held. For example, a cane user could put it next to their bed and when they get up at night to go to the bathroom it would standing right there. And if they accidentally lost their grip on the cane, it would not fall over. It should be very affordable, as many cane users are on fixed incomes. A design that is aesthetically pleasing would promote its use.
Other ideas
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