Exploring the personal experiences, barriers and expectations among caregivers and people with physical disabilities in a teaching hospital in Kuantan, Malaysia

Introduction: Improving healthcare services for people with physical disabilities (PWPD) is critical to health achievement worldwide. The caregivers of PWPD play a pivotal role in facilitating early diagnosis, participating in treatment decision-making, and selecting suitable service providers. Therefore, this study aims to explore the personal experiences, barriers, and expectations of PWPD and their caregivers in receiving healthcare services at a teaching hospital in Kuantan. Method: A total of 18 participants, including PWPD and their caregivers attending the hospital, were purposely selected to participate in individual in-depth interviews following a generic qualitative study design. These interviews were conducted in Malay using a topic guide, and the sessions were recorded, transcribed, and subsequently analyzed. The data analysis process followed a qualitative data analysis framework. Results: The findings of our analysis revealed that most participants expressed satisfaction and shared positive experiences with the healthcare services they received. They emphasized that improved facilities and high-quality equipment played a significant role in enhancing their satisfaction. However, several barriers were identified, primarily related to physical limitations. These barriers included insufficient parking availability, deteriorated wheelchair conditions, long distances between different areas, overcrowding in the pharmacy, heavy doors, the absence of automatic beds, excessively high emergency buttons, limited shopping options, and restricted operating hours. Participants also expressed expectations for improved transparency in doctor-patient communication and enhanced hospital promotions. Conclusion: To enhance future healthcare provision, it is essential to understand and address the expectations of PWPD and their caregivers at various levels within the healthcare system

Development of the table tennis robot launcher

Table tennis is a dual sport in which two teams compete against an opposing side. In training conditions, it needs consistently receive the ball with varying ball spins and angles to improve the athlete’s skills. Therefore, this study aims to develop an automatic table tennis robot that can launch the ball in a different way of rotation. Two 12 V DC motors were placed against each other to produce the opposite direction of ball spin. While four types of rotations which are topspin, backspin, right spin, and left spin, were considered in the evaluation. The microcontroller was used to control the system, including the motor speed and launcher’s angle itself. Hence, the combination of variables applied can be customised and increasing the difficulties of training level. In addition, the setting of robot movement can be set up via the control board or wirelessly using Android apps. The reliability study was concerned with the consistency of ball bouncing, ball rotation as well as ball launching. The performance of this robot launcher is satisfactory when the error is less than 5% from the entire repetitive testing. In the experimental session, it is shown that the capability of ball shooting distance, the feed rate of a ball launched, and the ability of the robot launcher to do various ball spins are achieved and suitable to the player. Thus, this table tennis robot launcher benefits the athlete’s self-training to improve their skills and technique

Exploring the healthcare perceptions, barriers and expectations among people with physical disability and their caregivers in a healthcare facility in Kuantan, Malaysia

Introduction: Improving healthcare services for people with physical disabilities (PWPD) is critical to health achievement worldwide. However, some challenges impede this process, including inadequate continuity of care and financial burdens, all of which contribute to a decline in their overall health, well-being, and functional capabilities. Furthermore, caregivers of PWPD play a pivotal role in facilitating early diagnosis, participating in treatment decision making, and selecting suitable service providers. Aims: Therefore, this study aims to explore the personal experiences, barriers, and expectations of PWPD and their caregivers in receiving healthcare services at a teaching hospital in Kuantan, Malaysia. Methods: A total of 18 participants, including PWPD and their caregivers attending the hospital, were purposely selected to participate in individual in-depth interviews following a generic qualitative study design. These interviews were conducted in Malay using a topic guide, and the sessions were recorded, transcribed, and subsequently analysed. The data analysis process followed a qualitative data analysis framework. Results: The findings of our analysis revealed that most participants expressed satisfaction and shared positive experiences with the healthcare services they received. They emphasised that improved facilities and high-quality equipment played a significant role in enhancing their satisfaction. However, several barriers were identified, primarily related to physical limitations. The barriers were insufficient parking lot, deteriorated wheelchair conditions, long distance between different areas, overcrowding in the pharmacy, heavy doors, the absence of automatic beds, excessively high emergency buttons, limited shopping options in the hospital facility and restricted operating hours. Participants also expressed expectations for improved transparency in doctor-patient communication and enhanced hospital promotions. Conclusion: To enhance future healthcare provision, it is essential to understand and address the expectations of PWPD and their caregivers at various levels within the healthcare system

Improving the Infant-Wrap (InfaWrap) device for neonates using MyI-Wrap mobile application

Nowadays, a biomedical instrument holds a prominent position in medicine. The increased processing and integration capacity of electronic devices and the progress of wireless communications have enabled medical devices to be developed. InfaWrap device is a non-invasive method developed to measure the oxygen saturation, body temperature, and heart rate of a person. InfaWrap is designed to assist doctors and parents in tracking the baby’s heart rate and oxygen level by using advanced wireless network sensors. The inability to detect any discomforts that the babies doing the initial stage of life may lead to permanent disabilities and even death due to Critical Congenital Heart Disease (CCHD). In this paper, we focused on improving the Infant-Wrap (InfaWrap) for neonates using MyI-Wrap Mobile Application. A Bluetooth virtual serial port protocol is used to send test results to the smartphone from the oximeter sensor and from the temperature sensor. Two sensors were used; the MAX30100 heart rate sensor with the pulse oximeter and the LM35 with a synchronized Arduino platform with a mobile application. As a result, the device’s sensitivity reaches 96% for oxygen, 81.03 bpm for heart rate, and 35 ℃ for body temperature. The performance value for 2 h begins to shift in minutes 100 but still below the maximum limit

Infant-Wrap (InfaWrap) device as pediatric technology tool: The heart rate and SpO2 monitoring for neonates

Today, advances in science and technology may contribute to the resolution of medical devices for pediatric. This research focused on the development of the InfaWrap device; a tool to monitor neonate’s heart rate and SpO2. InfaWrap is designed to help the clinicians and parents to observe the baby’s heart rate and oxygen saturation. The InfaWrap device uses a pro mini Arduino as a microcontroller, a MAX30100 oximeter sensor to measure SpO2 and heart rate, and an LM35 to measure body temperature. Besides, we focus on the design and convenience wear criteria, including design characteristics, and structures to ensure the device is lightweight and more comfortable. The proposed InfaWrap device embedded an advanced wireless network sensor system. The data will be appeared in the mobile application installed on the doctor’s or parent’s mobile phone via Bluetooth module. Overall, based on three different babies as a subject in this study, we obtained that he InfaWrap device accuracy results reach the average of 96% for SpO2, 81 bpm for baby heart rate, and 36.4 °C for baby body temperatur

A wavelet decomposition analysis of vibration signal for bearing fault detection

This paper presents a study of vibrational signal analysis for bearing fault detection using Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT). In this study, the vibration data was acquired from three different types of bearing defect i.e. corroded, outer race defect and point defect. The experiments were carried out at three different speeds which are 10%, 50% and 90% of the maximum motor speed. The time domain vibration data measured from accelerometer was then transformed into frequency domain using a frequency analyzer in order to study the frequency characteristics of the signal. The DWT was utilized to decomposed signal at different frequency scale. Then, root mean square (RMS) for every decomposition level was calculated to detect the defect features in vibration signals by referring to the trend of vibrational energy retention at every decomposition. Based on the result, the defective bearings show significant deviation in retaining RMS value after a few levels of decomposition. The findings indicate that Wavelet decomposition analysis can be used to develop an effective bearing condition monitoring tool. This signal processing analysis is recommended in on-line monitoring while the machine is on operation

Pedal Error Naturalistic Driving Study Among Malaysian Drivers

The article discussed about pedal misapplication or pedal error among Malaysian drivers. The variability of driver’s foot movement could result in an error in foot placement. The farther the foot from the intended pedal, the larger the potential errors to occur while hitting the pedal. The goals of this research are to conduct a study to determine the Malaysian driver’s foot placement on pedal and the total emergency braking response during the normal driving and emergency braking situation, and also to define the sources of foot placement errors and factors which contributing to the wrong pedal placement among Malaysian drivers. The scopes of this research are to develop a test setup to determine the foot placement on pedal by using video observation and measure the total emergency braking response by using force sensor, to determine the source of foot placement errors and to define the factors contributing to the wrong pedal placement. The study is limited to automatic transmission car, Malaysian drivers aged from 20 to 65 years old. In order to conduct the naturalistic driving test, an instrumented car is prepared and equipped with some important instruments such as cameras, force pressure sensor, light cue device, audio cue device and Arduino hardware. A study has been successfully conducted to determine the Malaysian driver’s foot placement on the pedal during the emergency braking. According to our research, 10% of the participants from the driving study conducted use both legs while driving and press the brake pedal using their left foot during emergency braking. It is dangerous for other drivers because the brake light can turn on at any time, causing other drivers to become distracted

Factors contributing to the pedal error or pedal misplacement among malaysian car drivers : A survey

The driver’s foot movement is unpredictable, which could lead to an error in foot placement. The farther the foot is from the target pedal, the more likely it is to make an error while pressing the pedal. The purpose of this study is to identify the mistakes and factors that contribute to incorrect pedal placement among Malaysian drivers. In addition, to learn more about the elements which cause road accidents in Malaysia. An online survey was carried out to collect the data for the study using the Google Form platform. According to the survey, the study was successful in determining foot placement on the pedal by Malaysian drivers when driving, as well as the factors, which contribute to incorrect foot placement on the pedal and road accidents in Malaysia. A total of 321 responses with age range between 20 and 60 years old participated in the survey. Based on the survey, 10% of the respondents are using both legs while driving and use their left foot to press the brake pedal in an automatic transmission car. The study also discovered various sources and causes that contribute to Malaysian drivers’ wrong pedal placement, including being surprised, interrupted, and confused

Sistem brek elektromagnetik boleh kawal menggunakan arus pusar

This research presents a laboratory based experimental study of a controllable electromagnetic braking system utilising eddy current. The main focus was to study parameters related to the eddy current electromagnetic braking system and to apply the system on a test study application. This study explored potential benefits over conventional braking systems, including in the reduction of brake pad wear and wear debris contamination due to hazardous materials such as copper. The objective was to design and fabricate a test rig in order to investigate the relationship between variable parameters that affect the electromagnetic braking system response and to implement the controllable system on an undertaken test case. Two test rigs were constructed for the study on the interactions of variable parameters and on the test case application. Laboratory experiments were carried out to examine the correlation between parameters such as the coil current, air gap widths, types of disc brakes, disc thickness, and number of turns of the electromagnetic coil. Two different materials, Al6061 and Al7075 were also compared in this response experiment. In the validation part of the experiment, related optimum parameters found from the response part were used in implementing the eddy current electromagnetic braking system on a stationary exercise bicycle. From the experimental results, it was found that the parameters have some effect on certain braking behaviour. Braking force increased as the coil current increased, as also with the use of a smaller air gap, larger number of coil turns and thicker disc. Three types of disc material were tested: aluminium, zinc and copper; subsequently, aluminium was found to be the best among the three. It was also found that Al6061 performed better than Al7075. The eddy current electromagnetic brake was tested for exercise purposes, taking the coil current as the controllable parameter. Increasing the coil current caused the cycling resistance to increase, and hence the intensity of the exercise also increased. From this research, it was shown that the eddy current electromagnetic brake could be successfully implemented as a controllable braking system on a test static exercise bicycle. Thus, this system has great potential to be explored as an alternative to present-day conventional braking system