Organizational Unit:

Rehabilitation Engineering and Applied Research Lab (REAR Lab)

Permanent Link

https://hdl.handle.net/1853/71920

Parent Organization

Organizational Unit

School of Industrial Design

Organizational Unit

George W. Woodruff School of Mechanical Engineering

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Publication Search Results

Now showing 1 - 10 of 13

Using Anthropometric Measurements to Design Ergonomic Infant and Toddler Gear

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2019-12-05) Pardue, Emily Louisa

Infants grow so quickly that gear can have a shockingly short life span. Parents often do a quick calculation before purchases: divide the cost by how many months it will be used. Thus, products that are meant to “grow-with-me” or last for multiple infant stages are extremely desirable. Infant-to-toddler rockers are an example of this type of product. However, the researchers have found that the current infant-to-toddler rocker models on the market could be improved. The goal of this project was to use anthropometric data of children to design an ergonomic infant-to-toddler rocker. Anthropometric data was collected on 58 children in order to properly size a new design for a rocker which lasts from 0 to 36 months old. Researchers also found based on parent interviews, a survey, and child interactions, that the needs of infants are very different from the needs of toddlers. Infants are still developing muscle tone, and it is important for them to be supported in a semi-reclined position. Toddlers are extremely active and need a device which allows them to ingress and egress independently. Concepts were developed, and prototypes built to demonstrate the new concepts. These prototypes were then tested with parents and children to gather feedback and improve designs. The final design is an ergonomic rocker which adjusts in size and recline angle to serve the infants that need to be secure and reclined, as well as the ambulatory toddlers.
Encourage sedentary workers' active seating through product design

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2018-07-31) Ni, Chenan

The purpose of this project is to design a perturbation system for encouraging active sitting. This product would improve the physical environment within which the sedentary workers work and reduce their incidence of musculoskeletal discomfort. Specifically, the sedentary workers would be able to slightly shift postures without being disturbed by the device through an intervention, therefore, encouraging in-seat movement.
User specific assistive technology: Hand mounted switch control platform design

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2018-04-27) Yuan, Xiuxiu

The purpose of this project is to design a platform for user specific assistive technology. This platform would allow occupational therapists to design and deliver highly customizable hand mounted switch controls for persons with severe disabilities using rapid prototyping tools. Specifically, occupational therapists would be able to adjust a pre-designed model through an intuitive user interface therefore change the design to meet users’ unique needs. The study first conducted literature review about assistive technology and rapid prototyping, then used participatory approach and human centered design methodology, engaged three occupational therapists to design and develop the platform through workshops and interviews. The aims of this project including designing the switch device, platform user interface and system packaging, and evaluating the designs with the occupational therapists. Findings, limitations and future work were discussed in the end.
Assistive Technology Outcomes Measure (ATOM) v2.0

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2018) Sprigle, Stephen ; Harris, Frances
Survey of Users of Wheelchair Seat Elevators

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2017) Sprigle, Stephen

This is a technical report to document and share the data collected using an on-line anonymous survey of wheelchair users who use seat elevators..
Aiding lower-limb amputees in traversing uneven terrain through product design

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2015-08-21) Husack, Mark

The majority of lower-limb amputations are not caused by trauma or cancer, but rather by vascular diseases brought on by Type 2 Diabetes. Many of these patients must have a limb amputated because they have led a sedentary lifestyle and maintained a poor diet for much of their lives. Having a limb amputated can be a wake-up call to these patients, giving them the motivation to change their lifestyle and become more physically active. However, many of these lower-limb amputees are on Medicare or Medicaid and are only covered for their basic walking needs. Due to the high out-of-pocket costs of specialized prostheses needed to perform specific physical activities, it can be more difficult for them to achieve that lifestyle change. This study aims to design a device that will aid lower-limb amputees in traversing uneven terrain with the intent of facilitating outdoor activities.
A smartphone application that informs weight shifting behavior to promote tissue health

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2015-08-18) Cheng, Philip

One of the most persistent problems affecting wheelchair users is pressure ulcers. These are ulcers that wheelchair users develop in areas of constant pressure or interruption of blood flow to a localized area. Approximately one- third of patients who suffer from spinal cord injuries develop pressure ulcers, and it is a very expensive consequence for these people. Pressure relief exercises can help, but a high percentage of wheelchair users do not perform them enough. Activity trackers today have the ability to sync with smartphone applications to monitor physical activity. The following study uses weight shifting behavior to help wheelchair users. By studying principles of usability engineering and user interface design, the researcher will design a smartphone application that pairs with a weight shift monitoring system to help promote tissue health. The application will illustrate information for the user to make them aware of their behavior and engage them in pressure relief exercises.
Design of a Robotic System to Measure Propulsion Work of Over-ground Wheelchair Maneuvers

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2014) Liles, Howard ; Huang, Morris ; Caspall, Jayme ; Sprigle, Stephen

A wheelchair-propelling robot has been developed to measure the efficiency of manual wheelchairs. The use of a robot has certain advantages compared to the use of human operators with respect to repeatability of measurements and the ability to compare many more wheelchair configurations than possible with human operators. Its design and implementation required significant engineering and validation of hardware and control systems. The robot can propel a wheelchair according to pre-programmed accelerations and velocities and measures the forces required to achieve these maneuvers. Wheel velocities were within 0.1 m/s of programmed values and coefficients of variation (CV) < 2%. Torque measurements were also repeatable with CV <10%. By determining the propulsion torque required to propel the wheelchair through a series of canonical maneuvers, task-dependent input work for various wheelchairs and configurations can be compared. This metric would serve to quantify the combined inertial and frictional resistance of the mechanical system.
Blood Flow to the Butt

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2012-03) Sonenblum, Sharon Eve
Low Profile Tension Seat for Wheelchair Users who Propel with One or Both Feet

(Georgia Institute of Technology, 2012-03) Sprigle, Stephen