Organizational Unit:

Center for Inclusive Design and Innovation

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https://hdl.handle.net/1853/70766

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Organizational Unit

College of Design

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https://finding-aids.library.gatech.edu/agents/corporate_entities/1116

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Publication Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 17

Mobility Metrics for Manual Wheelchair Use in Everyday Life

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 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.
Study on Alleviation Pressure Cushion

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 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.
Blood Flow and Pressure Changes That Occur With Tilt-in-Space

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 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.
Clinical Usability of a Wound Measurement Device

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 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.
Inventor-Driven Product Development

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 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.
Blood Flow and Pressure Changes That Occur With Tilt-in-space

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2009) Sonenblum, Sharon Eve ; Sprigle, Stephen
Understanding Wheelchair Use Patterns: Tilt-in-Space

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008-03) Sonenblum, Sharon Eve ; Sprigle, Stephen ; Harris, Frances ; Maurer, Chris
Bruise chromophore concentrations over time

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008) Duckworth, Mark G. ; Caspall, Jayme J. ; Mappus IV, Rudolph L. ; Kong, Linghua ; Yi, Dingrong ; Sprigle, Stephen

During investigations of potential child and elder abuse, clinicians and forensic practitioners are often asked to offer opinions about the age of a bruise. A commonality between existing methods of bruise aging is analysis of bruise color or estimation of chromophore concentration. Relative chromophore concentration is an underlying factor that determines bruise color. We investigate a method of chromophore concentration estimation that can be employed in a handheld imaging spectrometer with a small number of wavelengths. The method, based on absorbance properties defined by Beer-Lambert's law, allows estimation of differential chromophore concentration between bruised and normal skin. Absorption coefficient data for each chromophore are required to make the estimation. Two different sources of this data are used in the analysis- generated using Independent Component Analysis and taken from published values. Differential concentration values over time, generated using both sources, show correlation to published models of bruise color change over time and total chromophore concentration over time.
Impact of Tilt-in-Space Power Wheelchairs on Health, Activity, and Participation

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008) Harris, Frances ; Sonenblum, Sharon Eve ; Sprigle, Stephen ; Maurer, Christine L.

This paper reports the results of a pre-post outcomes study on the impact of tilt-in-space power wheelchairs on the health, activity, and participation of 5 subjects. Using a methodology which combines traditional self-reports and activity monitoring technology, subjects who had previously used an upright power wheelchair were monitored at baseline and 3 months following receipt of a new tilt-in-space power wheelchair. Subjects visited similar numbers of destinations pre and post. However, wheelchair use metrics - including occupancy time, distance wheeled, and number of bouts - varied pre and post, without a consistent direction of change. Quality of life measured as self-perceived health status increased in all subjects. Although subject population is too small to generalize results, this study illustrates the complexity of participation measurement and the utility of this methodology to provide insights into the relationship between wheelchair use and activity and participation.
Investigation of the Lifespan for Wheelchair Cushions used on a Daily Basis

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2008) Rivard, David M. ; Sprigle, Stephen ; Linden, Maureen

Wheelchair cushions function to mediate seating pressures and provide postural stability. For the majority of cushions used on average 12 hours daily, the cover and interior components degrade at varying rates while performance for their intended purposes diminishes resulting in an increased risk for skin health deterioration and inadequate postural support. While age and use are determinants of cushion degradation, additional factors or combinations of factors contribute to rate of wear. At present there is no validated metric whereby clinicians and users may asses cushion condition and replacement of a potentially worn cushion. A multiple phase collaborative research project conducted at the Shepherd Center is currently testing the functionality and degradation of wheel chair cushions. Preliminary visual assessments indicate that some cushions are used inadequately while others responded to postural deformities. Loaded contour depth analysis revealed that age and cushion construction alone are not significant predictors. A supplementary benefit from this study is the documentation of critical factors to cushion wear and failure; whereby, clinicians and users can be educated on proper care and preventative measures to reduce wear; whereby, optimizing health benefits for the user and possibly increasing the lifespan of the cushion.