Organizational Unit:
Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation

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Publication Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 57
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Assessment of the ISO Impact Damping Test

2012 , Sprigle, Stephen , Chung, Bummo , Meyer, Tobias

The ISO impact damping test characterizes wheelchair cushion abilities to reduce impact loading on issues and to help maintain postural stability, reporting the number of rebounds greater than 10% of the peak impact acceleration and the ratio of the 2nd to 1st rebound. Based upon our analysis, 3 critical issues have been identified. 1) Impact magnitude should be part of the analysis. 2) Impact should be used instead rebound accelerations. 3) Oscillation from impact is not a simple 2nd order damped harmonic, instead several natural frequencies are embedded in the damped oscillation. In conclusion, ISO should utilize impact accelerations and more complex analysis to characterize the damping properties of wheelchair cushions.

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Study on Alleviation Pressure Cushion

2010-06 , Kong, Linghua , Sprigle, Stephen , Davis, Kim , Wang, Chao

The alleviation pressure (AP) cushion is a dynamic cushion system with three bladders at the pelvic region. The bladders can be deflated and inflated in a certain sequence to relieve the pressure on the ischial tuberosiites (IT) and coccyx/sacrum. The design of the foam base, bladder and pneumatic and electronic system of the AP cushion is discussed in this paper. And testing is conducted to verify the effectiveness of the AP cushion.

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Clinical Usability of a Wound Measurement Device

2010 , Nemeth, Michelle E. , Sprigle, Stephen , Gajjala, Anita

Monitoring wound size is an integral component to the assessment and treatment of chronic wounds. Conventional methods, such as ruler measures and transparency tracings, for measuring wound size often have low accuracy and reliability. Newer high tech methods, while more reliable and accurate, are often expensive and difficult to use. The objective of the study was to design a wound measurement device (WMD) with the following features: ease of use, low cost, non-contact, time-saving, hand-held, reliable, and battery operated.

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iMachine: Measuring Manual Wheelchair Mass Properties

2010 , Eicholtz, Matthew , Sprigle, Stephen , Ferri, Al , Caspall, Jayme , Dao, Phuc , Wang, Stan

Mass properties are important parameters in dynamic systems analysis, but may be difficult to estimate for irregularly-shaped objects. Specifically, the iMachine is designed to analyze manual wheelchairs in an effort to determine the propulsion efficiency using the Anatomical Model Propulsion System (AMPS).

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The Accuracy Of New Wheelchair User Predictions About Their Future Wheelchair Use

2010-06 , Hoenig, Helen , Griffiths, Patricia , Harris, Frances , Caves, Kevin , Sprigle, Stephen

This study examined the accuracy of new wheelchair user predictions about their future wheelchair use. We used an existing database of 71 new manual wheelchair users with data obtained at baseline, 3-­‐ and 6-‐months to examine the specificity, sensitivity, positive and negative predictive value of user predictions about anticipated amount and locations of wheelchair use. At 3-­‐months, the correlation between predicted and actual use was strong, with 90% of those who thought they would still be using the wheelchair still using it, and 60% of those who said they would not be using it indeed were not using the wheelchair. By 6-­‐months the predictive utility diminished substantially. Only 70% of subjects accurately predicted their continued use, while only 50% correctly predicted they would not be using their wheelchairs. This study demonstrates the importance of better understanding the potential mismatch between the anticipated and actual patterns of wheelchairs use.

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Blood Flow and Pressure Changes That Occur With Tilt-in-Space

2010-06 , Sonenblum, Sharon Eve , Sprigle, Stephen

The objective of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical responses to tilt in persons with SCI. Changes in blood flow and loading at the ischial tuberosities (ITs) across different amounts of tilt were measured with Laser Doppler flowmetry and interface pressure. Pressure reduction at the IT was not present at 15°, but did occur with tilts to 30° and greater. Unlike pressure, blood flow increased with all tilts from an upright position. Only 4 of 11 participants had a considerable increase (≥10%) in blood flow at 30° tilt, whereas 9 participants did during maximum tilt (i.e., 45°-60°). Based on the results of this study, tilting for pressure reliefs as far as the seating system permits is recommended to maximize the potential for significant blood flow increases and pressure relief. The use of interim small tilts is also supported, as they also provide some benefit.

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Single sensor that outputs narrowband multispectral images

2010-01 , Kong, Linghua , Yi, Dingrong , Sprigle, Stephen , Wang, Fengtao , Wang, Chao , Liu, Fuhan , Adibi, Ali , Tummala, Rao R.

We report the work of developing a hand-held (or miniaturized), low-cost, stand-alone, real-time-operation, narrow bandwidth multispectral imaging device for the detection of early stage pressure ulcers.

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Mobility Metrics for Manual Wheelchair Use in Everyday Life

2010-06 , Lopez, Ricardo A. , Sonenblum, Sharon Eve , Sprigle, Stephen

In this study, a method for the robust detection of manual wheelchair movement with accelerometer-based data logging is used to obtain metrics of wheelchair mobility that complement mean- and total-distance-only based measurements. It is found that these metrics, that include distance, time and number of activity bouts, provide better understanding of everyday use of manual wheelchairs by shedding more light into how users operate their wheelchairs in their daily lives.

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Anatomical Model Propulsion System: Measuring Manual Wheelchair Efficiency

2010 , Dao, Phuc , Sprigle, Stephen , Caspall, Jayme , Ferri, Aldo A. , Eicholtz, Matthew , Wang, Stan

The goal of this project was to produce a test device and methodology capable of measuring the mechanical efficiency of manual wheelchairs. The result would provide an objective measure of wheelchair performance that are required to effectively prescribe wheelchairs and to code wheelchairs properly for reimbursement.

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Inventor-Driven Product Development

2010 , Sprigle, Stephen , Maurer, Chris , Kong, Linghua

Inventors of assistive technology often lack resources to support product development and this may hinder their ability to develop useful and commercially viable devices. The purpose of this on‐going project is to support inventor and small company development of promising mobility-­‐related technologies. Specifically, the process includes: 1) an informal brainstorming session addressing technical, market and user issues; 2) formal screening of device potential and RERC capacity to assist in development; 3) invitation to engage inventors/companies with promising technologies; and 4) product testing and/or development of promising technologies. This paper describes the project’s approach and reviews activities over the past year.