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Mobility Rehabilitation Engineering and Research Center (RERC)

Research Sites

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Georgia Tech

Georgia Tech is one of the nation's top research universities, distinguished by its commitment to improving the human condition through advanced science and technology. Georgia Tech is located in the center of Atlanta, where 18,000 students receive a focused, technologically based education. It consistently ranks among U.S. News & World Report's top ten public universities in the U.S., and ranks 4th among engineering graduate schools.

The director of the mobility RERC, Stephen Sprigle, is PI of the Rehabilitation Engineering and Applied Research (REAR) Lab at Georgia Tech. Other collaborative sites at Georgia Tech are also listed below.

Rehabilitation Engineering and Applied Research (REAR) Lab

The REAR Lab undertakes applied research and development targeting the increased health and function of persons with disabilities. Specific areas of interest include: wheeled mobility and seating, pressure ulcer prevention and treatment; design of diagnostic tissue interrogation devices; and design of assistive technologies.

Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access

CATEA is a 27-year-old, multidisciplinary R&D and technical assistance center within the College of Architecture. CATEA's primary focus is on: design, development, evaluation, and usability of AT and accessible environments. CATEA staff represent a broad spectrum of research and clinical backgrounds including: rehab engineering; ME and BME; industrial design; architecture; PT; OT; rehab counseling; and information and education architecture. CATEA occupies 12,000 sq. feet of space that is accessible and in compliance with ADA and section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act. The REAR Lab operates as a part of CATEA.

GT Bionics Laboratory

Directed by Maysam Ghovonloo, the lab is part of the Georgia Tech School of Electrical and Computer Engineering. Visit the GT-Bionics website.

GT Neuromuscular Physiology Laboratory

Directed by Minoru Shinohara, the Laboratory is part of the Department of Applied Physiology at Georgia Tech. Visit their website.

Georgia State University's Division of Physical Therapy

Georgia State University's Division of Physical Therapy is located in downtown Atlanta, 2 miles from Georgia Tech. The program is dedicated to rehabilitation and prevention of disability specifically related to movement and function of the neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, cardiopulmonary and integumentary systems. The program has 7500 sq feet in three research/clinical laboratories. The Biomechanics and Wheelchair Locomotion Research Laboratory is equipped with both 2-D and 3-D motion analysis systems (Qualisys System, MaxTraq System and DartFish software), two 240-Hz optical cameras, four 60-Hz digital video cameras, an eight-channel BioPac EMG system, a Bertec force plate, in-shoe Pedar plantar measurement, and a handrim force measurement system. The Muscle Physiology Research Laboratory is equipped with Kin Com Isokinetic, Muscle Biopsy, and multi-channel EMG systems. The Clinical and Physical Therapy Laboratory is equipped with rehabilitation and PT exercise devices that will be used for training in Projects R3a and R3b.

Duke University's Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development

Duke University's Center for the Study of Aging and Human Development is the longest continuously funded Geriatric Center in the country, and acts as an umbrella to coordinate research, education, and clinical services both at Duke and the Durham VA. US News and World Report has ranked the Geriatrics Program in the top five in the nation. The Center on Aging has 100 researchers spanning a wide range of projects in geriatrics and gerontology, including a Claude C. Pepper Older Americans Independence Center. Affiliated with the Duke Center on Aging is the Durham VA Medical Center (VAMC). The Durham VA is a tertiary care hospital located immediately across the street from the Duke Medical Center. The hospital has a long track record of excellence in Geriatrics and has an Extended Care and Rehabilitation Center. The Medical Center also houses a Health Services R&D Center and the VA Rehabilitation Services Research Unit. Rehabilitation research at the Durham VAMC has approximately 400 square feet of dedicated laboratory space directly adjacent to the PT/OT therapy clinics.

Shepherd Center

Shepherd Center, founded in 1975, is a private not-for-profit Catastrophic Care Hospital located 2 miles from Georgia Tech's campus. It is a 120-bed facility with specialty focus on the treatment of SCI, acquired brain injuries, MS, and other neurological conditions. Over 850 patients are admitted and nearly 30,000 outpatient visits are conducted annually. Shepherd Center is accredited by both JCAHO and CARF, and has been designated as a Model SCI System of Care by NIDRR continuously since 1982. Shepherd Center just completed construction of a new clinical wing that almost doubled the size of the hospital. The new facility houses the Seating and Mobility Clinic, the AT Center, which provides both inpatient and outpatient services and research space that will be used for several projects in the mobilityRERC. In addition to the hospital, Shepherd Center owns and operates accessible apartments to provide transitional living and respite care services to SCI Day Program and family members. These are expanding via construction of a new 87,000 square-foot Family Residence Center with 84 accessible suites.





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