A New Input Device for Spastics Based on Strain Gauge
Autor: | Niels Buchhold, Christian Baumgartner |
---|---|
Jazyk: | angličtina |
Rok vydání: | 2017 |
Předmět: |
robotic
Engineering joystick Computer science tactile sensors assistive technologies power wheelchair medical systems strain-gauge spastic spasticity Input device 02 engineering and technology 01 natural sciences Biochemistry Article Analytical Chemistry Wheelchair control_systems_engineering Joystick Range (aeronautics) 0202 electrical engineering electronic engineering information engineering Spastic Electrical and Electronic Engineering Instrumentation Simulation Strain gauge business.industry Event (computing) 010401 analytical chemistry Electrical engineering 020206 networking & telecommunications Atomic and Molecular Physics and Optics 0104 chemical sciences Powered wheelchairs business Tactile sensor |
Zdroj: | Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Sensors; Volume 17; Issue 4; Pages: 880 |
ISSN: | 1424-8220 |
Popis: | This article presents a new input device for spastic patients and others with similar symptoms. The sensor consists of a disc used to determine positions and can replace standard joysticks in medical devices such as electric-powered wheelchairs. Using a standard joystick while operating a powered wheelchair can result in dangerous situations when spastic movements occur and extremities cramp making them uncontrollable. To avoid this, a disc was developed that can be controlled with any body part. By shifting weight (x- and y-axis) the disc can tilt in any direction creating a proportional output signal and can also be pushed down in the center (z-axis) to open a menu on a screen for example. When spasms occur it is impossible for users to get stuck on the input device because the disc is flat and can be mounted within a control panel. Body parts coming into contact with the disc would merely slide across the disc without triggering unintentional actions. The sensor presented here is also adaptive and can be adjusted to fit a user’s strength and range of motion. This proposal aims to develop an input device that enables spastic patients to operate sensitive systems safely. |
Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
Externí odkaz: |