3,981 research outputs found

    NURSE-2 DoF Device for Arm Motion Guidance: Kinematic, Dynamic, and FEM Analysis

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    Patients with neurological or orthopedic lesions require assistance during therapies with repetitive movements. NURSE (cassiNo-qUeretaro uppeR-limb aSsistive dEvice) is an arm movement aid device for both right- and left-upper limb. The device has a big workspace to conduct physical therapy or training on individuals including kids and elderly individuals, of any age and size. This paper describes the mechanism design of NURSE and presents a numerical procedure for testing the mechanism feasibility that includes a kinematic, dynamic, and FEM (Finite Element Method) analysis. The kinematic demonstrated that a big workspace is available in the device to reproduce therapeutic movements. The dynamic analysis shows that commercial motors for low power consumption can achieve the needed displacement, acceleration, speed, and torque. Finite Element Method showed that the mechanism can afford the upper limb weight with light-bars for a tiny design. This work has led to the construction of a NURSE prototype with a light structure of 2.6 kg fitting into a box of 35 × 45 × 30 cm. The latter facilitates portability as well as rehabilitation at home with a proper follow-up. The prototype presented a repeatability of ±1.3 cm that has been considered satisfactory for a device having components manufactured with 3D rapid prototyping technology

    A Universalist strategy for the design of Assistive Technology

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    Assistive Technologies are specialized products aiming to partly compensate for the loss of autonomy experienced by disabled people. Because they address special needs in a highly-segmented market, they are often considered as niche products. To improve their design and make them tend to Universality, we propose the EMFASIS framework (Extended Modularity, Functional Accessibility, and Social Integration Strategy). We first elaborate on how this strategy conciliates niche and Universalist views, which may appear conflicting at first sight. We then present three examples illustrating its application for designing Assistive Technologies: the design of an overbed table, an upper-limb powered orthose and a powered wheelchair. We conclude on the expected outcomes of our strategy for the social integration and participation of disabled people

    Translation of evidence-based Assistive Technologies into stroke rehabilitation: Users' perceptions of the barriers and opportunities

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    Background: Assistive Technologies (ATs), defined as "electrical or mechanical devices designed to help people recover movement", demonstrate clinical benefits in upper limb stroke rehabilitation; however translation into clinical practice is poor. Uptake is dependent on a complex relationship between all stakeholders. Our aim was to understand patients', carers' (P&Cs) and healthcare professionals' (HCPs) experience and views of upper limb rehabilitation and ATs, to identify barriers and opportunities critical to the effective translation of ATs into clinical practice. This work was conducted in the UK, which has a state funded healthcare system, but the findings have relevance to all healthcare systems. Methods. Two structurally comparable questionnaires, one for P&Cs and one for HCPs, were designed, piloted and completed anonymously. Wide distribution of the questionnaires provided data from HCPs with experience of stroke rehabilitation and P&Cs who had experience of stroke. Questionnaires were designed based on themes identified from four focus groups held with HCPs and P&Cs and piloted with a sample of HCPs (N = 24) and P&Cs (N = 8). Eight of whom (four HCPs and four P&Cs) had been involved in the development. Results: 292 HCPs and 123 P&Cs questionnaires were analysed. 120 (41%) of HCP and 79 (64%) of P&C respondents had never used ATs. Most views were common to both groups, citing lack of information and access to ATs as the main reasons for not using them. Both HCPs (N = 53 [34%]) and P&C (N = 21 [47%]) cited Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) as the most frequently used AT. Research evidence was rated by HCPs as the most important factor in the design of an ideal technology, yet ATs they used or prescribed were not supported by research evidence. P&Cs rated ease of set-up and comfort more highly. Conclusion: Key barriers to translation of ATs into clinical practice are lack of knowledge, education, awareness and access. Perceptions about arm rehabilitation post-stroke are similar between HCPs and P&Cs. Based on our findings, improvements in AT design, pragmatic clinical evaluation, better knowledge and awareness and improvement in provision of services will contribute to better and cost-effective upper limb stroke rehabilitation. © 2014 Hughes et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

    Empowering and assisting natural human mobility: The simbiosis walker

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    This paper presents the complete development of the Simbiosis Smart Walker. The device is equipped with a set of sensor subsystems to acquire user-machine interaction forces and the temporal evolution of user's feet during gait. The authors present an adaptive filtering technique used for the identification and separation of different components found on the human-machine interaction forces. This technique allowed isolating the components related with the navigational commands and developing a Fuzzy logic controller to guide the device. The Smart Walker was clinically validated at the Spinal Cord Injury Hospital of Toledo - Spain, presenting great acceptability by spinal chord injury patients and clinical staf

    Future bathroom: A study of user-centred design principles affecting usability, safety and satisfaction in bathrooms for people living with disabilities

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    Research and development work relating to assistive technology 2010-11 (Department of Health) Presented to Parliament pursuant to Section 22 of the Chronically Sick and Disabled Persons Act 197

    The Effect of Walking Poles on Gait Characteristics and Fear of Falling in Community Dwelling, Four-Wheel Walker Dependent and Non-Assistive Device Dependent Older Adults

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    BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Walking poles are advertised as a beneficial gait device for individuals of all ages. Claims that they help increase confidence, balance, posture, and stride quality have led to their growth in popularity. However, to date there is no published evidence showing the impact of walking poles on gait parameters or fear of falling in the older adult population. The purpose of this study was to analyze gait speed, stride length, double-limb support, base of support, fear of falling, and change in perceived walking quality in four-wheel walker (4WW) and non-assistive device (NAD) dependent older adults, comparing the differences between walking pole and usual assistive device usage. METHODS: Using a two-group repeated measures design, twenty-one community dwelling older adults (mean age = 85.4 ± 5.1, 7 male, 14 female) participated in this study. Eight subjects were 4WW dependent and 13 were NAD dependent for mobility. Participants completed walking trials with their usual assistive device and with walking poles. Gait characteristics were measured using the GAITRite® system. Fear of falling was measured on a visual analog scale and a global rating of change scale was used for perceived gait quality. Statistical significance was determined with p\u3c0.05 using paired and two-sample t-tests. Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients were used to analyze relationships between measures. RESULTS: Significant differences (p\u3c0.05) were found within the 4WW dependent group for gait speed, double-limb support, base of support, and fear of falling in trials with walking poles compared to usual assistive device. Within the NAD dependent group, significant differences were found in gait speed, double-limb support, and fear of falling in trials with walking poles compared to trials without. Between groups, significant differences were found in stride length and base of support. Strong correlations between gait speed and double-limb support time were discovered with use of usual assistive device compared to use of walking poles. CONCLUSION: With minimal training on walking pole usage, both 4WW dependent and NAD dependent older adults displayed decreased gait speed, increased double-limb support time, and increased fear of falling when using walking poles. Additionally, 4WW dependent adults displayed decreased stride length and increased base of support

    Assessing Self-Rehabilitation Strategies for the Visually Impaired in Denmark

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    Self-rehabilitation technology has been developed to reduce healthcare costs and provide a convenient, reliable method for patients to recover from a physical injury. Sponsored by the Danish Association of the Blind, the following report summarizes a project exploring self-rehabilitation technologies that can accommodate blind or visually impaired patients. Potential strategies to increase awareness of such devices throughout municipalities in Denmark were evaluated as well. The data collected in this project were used to recommend that the Danish Association of the Blind advocates for further development of several rehabilitation technologies and the education of healthcare professionals about these technologies throughout Danish municipalities

    Wearable device to assist independent living.

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    Older people increasingly want to remain living independently in their own homes. The aim of the ENABLE project is to develop a wearable device that can be used both within and outside of the home to support older people in their daily lives and which can monitor their health status, detect potential problems, provide activity reminders and offer communication and alarm services. In order to determine the specifications and functionality required for development of the device user surveys and focus groups were undertaken and use case analysis and scenario modeling carried out. The project has resulted in the development of a wrist worn device and mobile phone combination that can support and assist older and vulnerable wearers with a range of activities and services both inside and outside of their homes. The device is currently undergoing pilot trials in five European countries. The aim of this paper is to describe the ENABLE device, its features and services, and the infrastructure within which it operates
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