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At least 181 records · Page 10Linked to original sources
PubMed1979

Locomotion assistance through cane impulse.

The extent of locomotion assistance gained through cane usage by those with hip disorders is assayed. Employing as a standard the propulsive impulse delivered by each lower limb of a healthy young male, the cane is shown to supply about one-fifth the equivalent impulse, aside from other possible benefits. Full test values are given for nine handicapped subjects.

Adult↗
PubMed1979

Treatment with a position feedback-controlled head stabilizer.

A position feedback-controlled head stabilizer has been developed to provide cerebral palsied individuals with resistive exercise to strengthen the neck musculature. This apparatus detects "involuntary" head motion and stabilizes the head by applying opposing forces; it also can be used to facilitate muscular contraction by resisting the subject's voluntary movements. The purpose of the present study was to determine whether voluntary head control in cerebral palsied individuals can be improved through systematic exercise using the stabilizer to strengthen the muscles of the neck and improve their balance of action. The findings support the author's contention that this is possible. The apparatus consists of a helmet and shoulder pads, interconnected so that the head is supported in the helmet by a manipulator arm. At its lower end, the manipulator arm is attached to the shoulder pad mounting frame via a gimbal assembly which allows head movement in two planes of tilt (pitch, or forward-and back, and roll, or side-to-side). Feedback control circuitry is so arranged that any deviation of the head from the desired position leads to actuation of pneumatic cylinders, which apply torques to the manipulator gimbal axes so as to oppose or conteract the incipient head movement. It is particularly significant that none of these patients participating in these experiments were at all apprehensive about or resisted being placed in the apparatus. (Even the youngest subject to use the apparatus--five year old-- did not mind being restrained by the shoulder pads or having his head gripped by helment.) While JG utilized the safety release valve quite often during the first few head control training sessions, he soon became confident enough in the action of the stabilizer that he did not even bother to grip the handle of the release valve. While DA had the action of safety valve explained and demonstrated for her, she never bothered to use it even from the outset of her experience with the stabilizer. Thus, it seems that the football shoulder pads use to stabilize the shoulders and the hockey helmet used to grip and manipulate the head actually make the apparatus attractive to younger patients, while the padding thereby provided makes it comfortable enough to be tolerated well by older individuals. And, the subject's knowing that he has an override control by means of which he can assert command over the entire system appears to be of psychological benefit in establishing confidence in both the apparatus and the investigator.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

An assistive equipment controller for quadriplegics.

A joystick is traditionally used to manipulate electrically powered wheelchairs and radio-controlled model aeroplanes. Extensive modifications of the joystick have resulted in the development of an inconspicuous chin-operated control; the latter enables quadriplegics with high-level spinal cord injuries to operate not only electric wheelchairs but also a complete range of other assistive devices, including robotic arm and environmental control systems currently under development. Through the use of the chin-operated control such quadriplegics can manipulate any of these devices or systems without the help of an attendant and without interfering with the use of a mouthstick.

Humans↗
PubMed1979

Dressing band.

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Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1979

A preliminary evaluation of remote medical manipulators.

This paper traces the development of teleoperators and associated control technology leading to the development of remote manipulators for medical application. The implications of various design approaches are elaborated in a general review of the UCLA Biotechnology Laboratory's preliminary evaluation of medical manipulators. The manipulators were made available through the auspices of the Veterans Administration, and included some early models which have since been improved. Conclusions from our preliminary evaluation, and suggestions for further development, are discussed.

Computers↗
PubMed1979

The Spartacus telethesis: manipulator control studies.

This paper describes a method and an experimental system permitting a severely handicapped operator, such as a quadriplegic, to control a telemanipulator. These developments form the first phase in the design of the Spartacus "telethesis". This is a manipulator system specifically developed for a quadriplegic person. Manipulator control experiments which are discussed concern four quadriplegics who have used the experimental system for significant periods of time. The present system is a laboratory simulation of a telethesis, consisting of an industrial manipulator controlled by a mini-computer. A flexible semi-sequential control and a variety of transducers permit the system to be adapted to the individual user. Thus far, the experiments performed have shown the feasibility for the four quadriplegics to effectively control a telemanipulator, using head movements and some remaining arm movements in various modes of end-point control. In particular, a position control and a "piloting" type of velocity control, both with the addition of some force limitation, have given promising results.

Activities of Daily Living↗
PubMed1975

CHRC eating aid.

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Child↗