Papers by Keyword: Assistive Technology

Abstract: The cost of prosthetics is a complex and multifaceted problem affecting individuals in need of these life-changing devices. Myoelectric prosthetics that can significantly improve the quality of life of individuals with upper limb amputations cost around $4000(6,105,000 naira) to $10,000(15,262,500 naira) for even the most basic models, this is a challenge for individuals in developing and underdeveloped countries as they cannot afford these prostheses. However, low-cost prosthetics are mostly non-functional with the functional prosthetic solutions having limited range of movement. Hence, the main objective of this research was to create a functional and affordable upper limb prosthetic device that can respond to muscle signals, enabling natural hand movement. Myoelectric prosthetic hands are artificial limbs controlled by electrical signals generated by the user's residual muscles. These signals are detected by electrodes placed on the skin and translated into movements by a microprocessor within the prosthesis. The myoelectric prosthetic was fabricated using 3D modeling, and the hand components were printed using poly-lactic acid (PLA) to address this issue. The design incorporated five individual fingers, each with multiple segments, to replicate the structure of the human hand. Servo motors were strategically positioned to actuate the finger movements based on myoelectric signals captured by surface electrodes placed on the user’s forearm. The electrical system consisted of an Arduino nanomicrocontroller, an electromyography (EMG) sensor, and various power management components. Calibration procedures were implemented to establish appropriate thresholds for distinguishing between hand movements, such as palm open and grab. The system allows for wider range of movement due to its 5 DOFs (degree of freedom). The system and it also exhibits an average response speed of 1.845 seconds. This cost-effective prosthetic hand would improve the quality of life for amputees and also increase accessibility and affordability to amputees, generally impacting health globally. This design breaks new grounds in low-cost prosthetics by focusing on the use of locally sourced materials and functional control system for the movement of the hand through the use of a simple 3-D printing technology and easily accessible materials precisely assembled together to replace the complex and expensive ones in the market.

Abstract: This project arises in response to the to the various investigations found that have pointed out the difficulties that Deaf people have faced in the sports field due to the communication barriers they have with referees. The ASH board of directors has confirmed this fact and this is the problem identified. In addition, several studies support the difficulty of concentration among athletes. The proposal consists of a device for athletes placed on a wristband, which emits vibrations when the referee's whistle is blown. It seeks to improve the performance of the Deaf player by obtaining instant communication with the referees. For this project, a qualitative approach has been used to collect data on the experience of Deaf players in sport. For its construction, materials were needed such as the ESP8266-01 modules, a vibrating motor, a push button, transistor and batteries. In this case, each of the modules, connected to the transmitter or receiver, used the Wi-Fi network as a means of wireless communication between them. In addition, tools such as SolidWorks, Fusion 360 and Arduino IDE were used for programming, since HTTP was used as a communication protocol between the modules. Finally, the prototype obtained has been validated by comparing it with a previously developed device and performing maximum range and instantaneous response tests. As a result, it has been improved compared to the existing ones, the design was adjusted to improve and change the components used, size and ergonomics. Furthermore, the tests were successful, and the device functioned correctly.

Abstract: The aim of this study is to assess functional status and prevalence of functional limitations/disabilities in aging, in order to identify possible strategies in assistive technologies. Investigations were undertaken on 138 patients, men and women, aged between 45 and 90 years, divided into four age groups: group A patients aged 50 - 59 years; group B aged 60 - 69 years; group C aged 70 - 79 years; group D aged 80 - 92 years. The results showed significant reduction in the ability to carry out basic activities of daily living (ADL) in patients aged 80 - 90+ years compared to patients aged 45-59 years (p = 0.05) and those of 60-69 years old (p = 0.043). Ability to carry out instrumental activities of daily living (IADL) was significantly reduced (p = 0.0503) in patients aged 70-79 years compared with patients aged 45-59 years and 60-69 years. Patients older than 80 years showed significant reduction ability to conduct IADLs compared to patients aged 45-59 years (p = 0.0047), aged 60-69 years (p = 0.0049) and aged 70-79 years (p = 0.029). There was a significant negative correlation of ADL (r = - 0.25, p <0.01) and IADL (r = - 0.39; p <0.01) with patients age. In conclusion, ADLs decline appears relatively late, after 80 years, while IADLs begins at about the age of 70 years. Seniors which experience decline in ADLs and IADLs can benefit from a variety of assistive technologies which promote independence and safety as they compensate for sensory, physical and cognitive impairments.

Abstract: This paper presents a system of assistive technology based on video-oculography (VOG) control interfaces, namely “Ophapasai”. The system designed specifically for disabled people communicate with the people that surround them. The primary method of this system consists of a selection of pictogram buttons within the circular menu-augment on the screen, which used an inexpensive video-oculography device. The results indicate that Ophapasai was used to support a number of communication functions (100%). Furthermore, we also conducted an evaluation of performance for pointing video-oculography device with three participants of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The evaluation used throughput of standards for computer pointing devices as measurement of user performance in a multi-direction point and select task which found, participants can pointing and selection their overall mean throughput was 2.02 bits/s.

Abstract: Mobility is the urgent requisite of post spinal cord injury (SCI) patient. Since the alternative and compensatory approach is considered as the major function of mobility assistive device for post-SCI patients, the device should possess capability to acclimate to the ‘abnormal’ gait generate by the patients who usually undergo alternative and compensatory rehabilitation in their neural circuit. The functional ability of individual should be taking into account. Yet according to the requirement of neuro-protective treatment in post-SCI rehabilitation processing, locomotor-like activity is still an essential factor to patient. This study presents a novel concept and prototype of assistive technology base on foot control strategy to take an equilibrium between mobility and gait realization. To demonstrate that foot-induced over-ground locomotor assistive method is capable of achieving locomotor-like activity (dragging step), simulation analysis and prototype preliminary experiment have been conducted. Simulation analysis show that foot-induced assistance can allow more volitional activity compare to the hip-knee-induced assistive device. Yet the input and disturbance act on such kind of device may be increased. Surface electromyography (sEMG) from muscles of lower limb (right rectus femoris, right biceps femoris and right gluteus maximus) have been recorded during the preliminary experiment, and the mean of integrated EMG (iEMG) was used as evaluation of muscle activity. The result of the testing show that the mean of iEMG in the right gluteus maximus was reduced in the swing phase when the subject moving ahead with the prototype, but no significant change in the right rectus femoris. It may imply that foot-induced over-ground locomotor assistive device can reduce the muscle activity when patient complete locomotor-like movement and retain some amount of residual recruitment of lower limb, instead of substituting arbitrarily.

Abstract: Assistive technology is any device or system that increases, maintains or improves the functional capabilities of people with disabilities. There are a lot of national and international Assistive technology training programs aiming to expand the knowledge base of professionals, and introduce newcomers to the disability field. These training programs help participants in understanding the utility and the effects of assistive technology and the possible areas of application. The paper presents the training courses of an educational European project called "Launching of Sector Skills Alliance for Training & Apprenticeship of Health Care and Food Supplements Salespersons" (H-CARE). The H-CARE project uses e-learning technologies to provide training courses and apprenticeship in the area of Health care (Assistive Technology) and food supplements. (H-CARE) was developed by a consortium of partners made of governmental organizations, universities, associations and small enterprises that complement each other in their respective contributions to the project. The graduates will be able to explain the Assistive Technology solutions to meet the needs of disabled people, to identify and select appropriate devices and to evaluate the implementation of Assistive Technology solutions through marketing principles.

Abstract: According to the report of WHO, the world population is rapidly ageing. Coming to the year of 2050, the proportion of the older population over 60 years will be 22%. The number of people aged 60 years and over is expected to 2 billion. Standing up movement is an important activity for human, because most activities in daily life are performed with standing position. The elderly with difficulty in standing up movement will strongly affect their daily activities. This study aims to propose an apparatus to assist standing up from sitting. A series of design methods and procedure including concept design, mechanism design, ergonomic design, and appearance design were performed in the study. Finally, an apparatus design was proposed with following features: (1) the appearance of the assistive device designed with an image of appetence; (2) a power-saving mechanism was designed which enabled users to elevate themselves easily; (3) a slow elevating mechanism was designed which enabled users to stand up slowly; (4) the of handlebar was operated at a position at elbow height which enabled users to exert maximum push force; (5) when the device elevated, the users enable to push maximum force to standing up; and (6) when the user was seated or absent for a long period, the handlebar can be located at a noninterference place. The results of design and the methods and procedure used in this study can be a reference for the product design.

Abstract: WHO reports the world population is rapidly ageing. The number of people aged 60 years and over is expected to 2 billion. The muscle strength of the elderly was decreased the ability of movement was therefore limited. Designing a facility to facilitate assist elderly for transportation is important and required. This study aims to propose a leverage wheelchair for the elderly. A serial design procedure including concept design, mechanism design, ergonomic design, and appearance design were performed in the study to create the new product. Finally, a leverage wheelchair was then proposed with following features: (1) the appearance of the leverage wheelchair demonstrated a powerful and friendly image; (2) the power transfer mechanism is designed with a power transfer mechanism which enables user to move wheelchair with a small strength; (3) the cover of the power transfer mechanism is an protection and visual element for the wheelchair; (4) the handlebar was designed with a power-saving mechanism to facilitate the elderly to move the wheelchair. It is also designed to assist user to stand up easily, (5) the handlebar was design at a position where the user can operate easily and comfortably; (6) a control button was deigned to control wheelchair going forward or backward; (7) the push handle was designed for fitting the hand of the caregiver. The results of design works, the methods and procedure used in this study can be a reference for product design and development.

Abstract: Integrated Product Development Process (IPDP) oriented for Assistive Technology (AT) usually engages multidisciplinary areas for design development. The involvement of professionals from different areas contributes to strengthening the IPDP phases, but a major barrier is the correct interpretation and understanding of the information shared by them, which allows the addressing of the product’s requirements and the feeding of the design structure. This paper aims to outline the first steps of the IPDP oriented for TA using the Integrated Definition Methods (IDEF) tool applied to a device design to assist in the training of athletes with visual disabilities. This step of the process focused on Object-Oriented Design Method (IDEF4) and Ontology Capture Method (IDEF5) from IDEF family. The result shows that through the use of the IDEF method oriented for the design of an AT product, the information sharing and the design global aspect to all team members was favored, promoting better communication.

Abstract: This paper presents a case study regarding the professional qualification training for a group of disabled employees newly hired by a company that manufactures automotive parts. These employees receive exclusive training to work on the companys plant floor. This research was limited to PCP (Planning and Production Control) classes, where was used the courseware, teaching methodology and student-employee assessment outlined in the structure of Product Development Process oriented for Assistive Technology. The main challenge was planning the training for a group of students that present physical, mental, visual or hearing disabilities. The research objective is to present the research conducted in the class and the possibility of development of teaching methods and materials that reach the cognition level of students with disabilities in the PCP subject, making them aware of the necessity of teamwork and consequently enabling them to perform their function as well as raise awareness for searching improvements in the work environment and alternatives communication with their coworkers. At the end, it is discussed the results presenting the strengths and difficulties found during the research in the professional qualification training classes.