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Mobility Rehabilitation Engineering and Research Center (RERC)

Mobility RERC Current Projects

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Research Projects

Pressure Ulcer Prevention: Susceptibility and Pressure Relief Effectiveness

Project Director: Stephen Sprigle, PhD, PT
Co-Investigators: Michelle Nemeth, PT, CCRP and Sharon Sonenblum, ScM
Advisors: Trevor Dyson-Hudson, MD; David Ellis, PhD; Evan Call, MS

Pressure Ulcer Prevention: Susceptibility and Pressure Relief Effectiveness will result in scientific evidence upon which to base clinical decisions about cushion prescription and pressure relief schedules to prevent pressure ulcers. Two projects addressing pressure ulcers will be conducted. R1a will develop an individualized susceptibility model based on physiological risk factors and R1b will study pressure relief techniques and behaviors.

Effects of Mobility Device and Environmental Facilitators on Activity and Participation

Project Directors: Frances Harris, PhD; Jon Sanford, M.Arch
Advisors: James Rimmer, Ph.D. and Marie Latta, MA

Effects of Mobility Device and Environmental Facilitators on Activity and Participation will produce data to inform policy and funding decisions based on the interactive effects of wheelchair type and environmental facilitators on activity performance and participation in everyday life.

Improved Training to Improve Function

Project Directors: Yong "Tai" Wang, PhD & Chris Maurer, MPT, ATP
Co-Investigators: Leslie Taylor, Ph.D. PT
Advisors: Barb Crane, PhD, PT, ATP; Trevor Dyson-Hudson, MD; James Rimmer, PhD, Marie Latta, MA

Improved Training to Improve Function will investigate, through series of randomized control trials (RCTs), whether the use of video technology for advanced wheelchair skills training (R3a) and an innovative wheelchair Tai Chi program (R3b) results in positive activity, participation, health outcomes.

Improved Wheelchair Prescription

Project Directors: Helen Hoenig, MD; Kevin Caves, ME
Co-investigators: Lawrence Landerman, PhD
Advisors: Marie Latta, MS; Charles Levy, MD; Barbara Crane, PhD, PT

Improved Wheelchair Prescription includes two projects that will study the effects of key factors that impact wheelchair prescription. Specifically, the projects will examine: effects of wheelchair type on performance of elders in public spaces (R4a) and the ability to predict the duration, location and amount of wheelchair use to improve prescription (R4b).

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Development Projects

Development of Standards and Test Methods : Wheelchair Cushion Standards

Project Director: Stephen Sprigle, PhD, PT
Co-Investigator: Tobias Meyer, MS
Advisors: Evan Call, MS; Barbara Crane, PhD, PT, ATP

The objective of this project is to develop and validate three test methods to characterize cushion performance. The specific aims of this project are to: 1) continue validation and refinement of the draft ISO heat and moisture vapor test, 2) complete development and then validate a new test to measure the changes in cushion properties with use, and 3) to develop and validate a new test method on load redistribution properties.

Development of Standards and Test Methods: Device to Measure Mechanical Work and Efficiency of a Manual Wheelchair

Principal Investigator: Jayme Caspall, MS
Co-Investigators: Linghua Kong, PhD
Advisors: Evan Call, MS; Steve Bauer, PhD; Wheelchair Manufacturers: Sunrise, Invacare

This project proposes to develop a uniform method to directly measure mechanical work and efficiency needed to propel a wheelchair. The specific aims are to: 1) finalize the problem definition and design criteria with input from wheelchair manufacturers, 2) create potential design solutions based upon the conceptual design framework, 3) fabricate a test rig that can measure propulsion work and efficiency, and 4) validate device measurements.

Inventor-Driven Product Development

Project Director: Linghua Kong, PhD
Co-Investigators: Chris Maurer, MPT, ATP; Stephen Sprigle, PhD, PT
Advisors: Steve Bauer, PhD; David Ellis, PhD

The purpose of this development project is to support inventor and small company development of promising mobility-related technologies. Need for such support has been demonstrated within the current mobilityRERC and is consistent with conclusions from the Department of Commerce report. The project is designed to formalize engagement of inventors/small companies. It will establish a process through which the mobilityRERC will provide a basic level of support and guidance as well as more advanced development and testing to those with promising mobility products. Specifically, the process will include: 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. Based on the types of inquiries and interactions over the past 4 ½ years, we anticipate that this program will engage at least 50 inventors/small companies in informal brainstorming with a minimum of 5 products undergoing formal testing and/or development.

This effort has resulted in two significant outcomes:

  1. Quantum Rehab has released the Synergy Air Cushion; its base material is from Sil-Air.
    Spectrum Air
  2. PostureWorks, another small business, has licensed Sil-Air technology for use in nursing homes.
    http://www.thepostureworks.com

For more information on how to participate, please contact Chris Maurer.

Proportional Tongue Drive System for Wheelchair / Computer Control

Project Director: Maysam Ghovanloo, PhD
Advisors: Steve Bauer, PhD; David Ellis, PhD

The goal of this orphan technology project is to develop the Tongue Drive System (TDS) as a proportional control for power wheelchair (PWC) operation. A non-proportional version is currently under development at Georgia Tech's Bionics laboratory. The specific aims of the project are to: 1) identify and synthesize the needs of stakeholder groups to develop TDS design criteria, 2) develop a proportional Tongue Drive magnetic sensor based wireless device, 3) develop real-time signal processing and control algorithms for the TDS, 4) verify the efficacy of the device for use as an alternative power wheelchair and computer control through testing by persons with high level quadriplegia, 5) refine the design based on the efficacy tests, and 6) seek the transfer of the technology to industry or a dedicated start-up company.

Height Adjustable Wheelchair Seat to Facilitate Transfers and Reach

Project Directors: Randy Bernard, MID & Michelle Nemeth, PT, CCRP
Advisors: Steve Bauer, David Ellis

Wheelchair users are at a height disadvantage during many functional activities, such as transferring or reaching. They are not able to change seated height to improve efficiency or safety of task performance. The aim of this project is to develop a height adjustable wheelchair seat that can be easily adjusted by the wheelchair user to improve transfer and reach. The Specific Aims are to: 1) identify design needs from different stakeholder groups; 2) synthesize the needs into design criteria; 3) design the adjustable height wheelchair seat; 4) fabricate and test the various concepts; 5) validate design through user testing; and 6) seek commercialization of the device.

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Training and Capacity-Building Projects

Evidence-Based Online Wheelchair Seating and Positioning Course

Project Director: Jon Sanford, M.Arch.
Co-Investigators: Chris Maurer, MPT

The overall purpose of this project is to provide a cost effective online learning opportunity for service providers (e.g., therapists, wheelchair suppliers) who are responsible for wheeled mobility recommendations. The specific aims are to: 1) develop and conduct an online evidence-based education course for wheelchair seating and positioning system; 2) evaluate changes in knowledge and attitudes of providers after taking the course.

Advanced Rehabilitation Research Training

Project Directors: Helen Hoenig, Linghua Kong, Stephen Sprigle, Tai Wang

The purpose of this project is to provide opportunities for advanced-level research training to students and fellows. The many research and development projects in the RERC can benefit from student involvement and, conversely, students will benefit from this training. The specific aim is to provide training, using a junior colleague model, in characteristics of disability, concepts of AT and universal design, and rehabilitation research methods.

Creating Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology Experiences (cRE/ATe)

Principal Investigator: Stephen Sprigle
Investigators: Linghua Kong; Michelle Nemeth
Design Instructors: Jon Colton (ME), Maysam Govanloo (EE), Frankin Bost (BME)

This project will implement cRE/ATe, an experientially-based design education program which will expose undergraduate engineering students to Rehabilitation Engineering and Assistive Technology (RE/AT). This program leverages the extensive expertise in RE/AT of CATEA and the robust design education within the Schools of Mechanical, Electrical and Biomedical Engineering. The objective of the project is to build capacity by populating the field with engineers who have been exposed to disability and its impact on the design of mainstream products, services and goods. To meet this objective the aim of cRE/ATe is to define projects for senior-level engineering design courses in which a student design group will be teamed with a client with a disability and a client coordinator to solve a functional problem.

State of Science Conference on Wheeled Mobility in Everyday Life

The purpose of this project is to establish a national forum for dialogue among researchers, clinicians, consumers, manufacturers and public policy officials to share knowledge about the current state and future directions of wheelchair technologies and related mobility interventions that will contribute to the research and public health agenda for work in this area. The conference will focus on best practices and innovations in rehabilitation engineering and technology related to promoting participation of wheelchair users. Specific aims are to: 1) establish an organizing committee of stakeholders to develop the program and prepare evidentiary information; 2) convene the mobilityRERC State of the Science (SOS) Conference at Medtrade 2011 to present key findings, develop a research agenda and action plan, and evaluate findings and generate recommendations with stakeholders; 3) prepare dissemination materials including conference proceedings as a special issue of Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology; and 4) conduct targeted outreach by presenting conference recommendations to key stakeholders.

RERC Projects from 2003-2008

Descriptions of older or completed projects.





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