Continued Success in Tech Transfer: Our center has had success with two different products. The natural fit handrim is an ergonomically contoured alternative to the standard circular section handrim fitted to most wheelchair. The NFH matches the natural grasp of the hand allowing a more neutral posture and eases propulsion. The devices sales have steadily increased and applications for CMS funding are in. The GameCycle in an upper body ergometer that links exercise to video game play. In its first year on the Market over a dozen units have been sold.
We published a three studies (the most of any center) in a special issue of the Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation devoted to research from Model Spinal Cord Injury Center Grants. ● Chaves ES, Boninger ML, Cooper R, Fitzgerald SG, Gray D, Cooper RA, Assessing the Influence of Wheelchair Technology on Perception of Participation in Spinal Cord Injury, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Model Systems Issue), Vol. 85, No. 11, pp. 1854-1858, November 2004. ● Hunt PC, Boninger ML, Cooper RA, Zafonte RD, Fitzgerald SG, Schmeler MR, Demographic and Socioeconomic Factor Associated with Disparity in Wheelchair Customizability Among People with Traumatic Spinal Cord Injury, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Model Systems Issue), Vol. 85, No. 11, pp. 1859-1864, November 2004. ● Algood SD, Cooper RA, Fitzgerald SG, Cooper R, Boninger ML, Impact of Pushrim-Activated Power-Assisted Wheelchair on the Metabolic Demands, Stroke Frequency, and Range of Motion Among Subjects with Tetraplegia, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation (Model Systems Issue), Vol. 85, No. 11, pp. 1865-1871, November 2004.
We had two junior investigators receive Research Career Development Awards. Alicia Koontz, Ph.D., ATP for her project entitled Investigation of Transfer Biomechanics (A3292H) and
Donald Spaeth, Ph.D. ATP for his project entitled Enhanced Controls for Accessing Assistive Technology (B331VH).
We published the first paper investigating how individuals with MS propel their wheelchairs. This paper found that the individuals with MS were poor at propulsion, went at a slow speed and had difficulty grasping and releasing the pushrim.
We began training graduate students funded through an Innovative Graduate Education and Research Training (IGERT) grant from NSF. This grant provides funding for 6 students who work in the VA
We continued to recruit into a National Wheelchair Users Registry: As of the end of September we had over 600 individuals from across the United States that agreed to be contacted about studies and surveyed about wheelchair use.
Dr. Rory Cooper was appointed by the University of Pittsburgh to be the first holder of the Federation of Independent School Alumnae Foundation Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) – Chair for Rehabilitation Engineering. Dr. Cooper’s appointment to this endowed Chair, one of the highest honors any university can bestow.
The Human Engineering Research Laboratories (HERL) celebrated its 10 year anniversary: HERL which is located in the Pittsburgh VA Healthcare Network has grown from 2 faculty to over 10, from 2 students to over 40. HERL houses our VA center and is an integral part of a SCI and TBI model system grant as well as two rehabilitation engineering research centers (RERCs)
This year Erik Wolf, MS, received a VA Pre-Doctorial fellowship based on work from our Center. We also had a student, Jennifer Mercer, M.S., receive a prestigious NSF Fellowship. Our students won 6 national paper/design competitions
The 2003 VA Stars and Stripes Healthcare Network Annual Award for Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Research was presented to Dr. Michael Boninger on February 5th, 2004.
We continue to attract top scientists to the VA. Richard C. Simpson Ph.D has becomes a 5/8 VA employee on our Center of Excellence. Dr. Simpson conducts research in the areas of rehabilitation robotics and computer access. He is currently working with other investigators in the VA to develop intelligent mobility aids for veterans with severe physical and perceptual disabilities.
We have completed the first ever study on the ability of K0010 level power wheelchairs to pass ANSI/RESNA standards: The K0010 is the least expensive wheelchair as determined Medicare coding. We tested it using international standards for wheelchairs. Of the 12 chairs tested only 3 passed standards. This is important information for the VA when deciding on quality wheelchairs for veterans.
We have been instrumental on the development of a new guideline on preserving arm function in spinal cord injury (SCI): The guideline which is produced by the consortium for Spinal Cord Injury Medicine, and sponsored by Paralyzed Veterans for America will be released in the early spring. Dr. Boninger chaired this effort and Dr. Koontz was a member of the panel.