Establishing Design Criteria for Input Control Systems for Individuals with Quadriplegia
By Richard, Terry G.; Ferrier, Nicola J.; Martin, Jay K.; Proceedings of the RESNA 25th International Conference, Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 179-181Publication Date: June/July 2002
Study aiming to establish preliminary design criteria characterizing the mobility, skills, and strength of people with quadriplegia or similar disabilities using their lips or chin to obtain the desired control function. Two electrical resistance strain gage-based transducers were designed, fabricated, calibrated, and employed in a test sequence to define the comfortable ranges of motion and forces that can be achieved with an isometric, chin activated joystick. The stiffness of each transducer was intentionally different to investigate the effect of motion resistance on the perceived comfort of the device. In preliminary studies, 12 participants performed a continuous circular head motion with vertical and lateral movements. The transducers produced a continuous analog output proportional to the combination of chin displacement and force. The signal was digitized at a rate of 100 samples per second and stored in a computer. Each participant was tested on two transducers: (1) a long transducer with a vertical and lateral stiffness of .128 and .165 N per millimeter and (2) a shorter device with a vertical and lateral stiffness of .443 and .532 N per millimeter, respectively. The results are displayed on a graph, and they indicate the respective changes in range of motion at particular measurements. Implications for further research are discussed.
Published by: Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) (Website:http://www.resna.org)
ISBN: 00-932101-44-5
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number O14512
