Tentative Projects
Although the following
students are not veterans, they participated in our research internship program
last year. Their backgrounds are varied but it will give you an idea of
the kind of projects students work on in the lab. New project descriptions
will be available in December 2009.
Joe Cuadrado
Virginia Tech, Junior
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Minor: Green Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Monica Perez
Project: Investigating how the Motor Cortex Works through Electrical Responses
Joe investigated the neurological responses in the motor cortex by measuring the electrical output in both hands through electrodes on the corresponding muscle. The purpose of the experiment was to see how the brain works and how it relates to movement of different muscles on one side of the body to the other. This could one day be beneficial to stroke victims who are partially paralyzed and need to regain mobility in the paralyzed side.
Jhumur Banik
Renssellaer Polytechnic, Senior
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Minor: Economics and Studio Arts Minor
Faculty Mentor: Mike Boninger
Graduate Student Mentor: Erica Authier
Project: Effects of Handrim Technology on Upper Extremity Musculoskeletal Injury
Many individuals with paraplegia rely on manual wheelchairs as a major means of locomotion. Over time, however, repetitive forces exerted by the arm muscles may lead to upper-body pain and injury. Jhumur investigated ergonomic handrims, such as the Flex-Rim and Natural-Fit Handrim that have been developed to reduce forces exerted by the muscles thereby minimizing propulsion effort. She investigated the effects of these handrims by gathering and analyzing data using surface electromyography (sEMG) which records muscle activity on the flexor and extensor muscles in the arm during the subject’s propulsion of the wheelchair. The purpose of this study was to determine whether these ergonomic handrims significantly reduce musculoskeletal forces exerted by the arm. Further analysis can suggest which one of the two is best suited to reduce upper musculoskeletal injury.
Matthew Barbara
Davidson College, Sophomore
Major: Undeclared
Staff Mentor: Michelle Oyster
Project: Relationship between Manual Wheelchair Skills Test Performance and Wheelchair Movement in Individuals with Spinal Cord Injury
Matt investigated the relationship between wheelchair skills test (WST) performance and wheelchair movement in subjects with spinal cord injuries. Matt's goals were to determine if any correlation between WST score and the average distance traveled by participants exists and to examine the relationship between WST scores and average speed of participants.
Kristen Glauser
University of Pittsburgh, Senior
Major: Bioengineering
Minor: Chemistry
Faculty Mentor: Dave Brienza
Graduate Student Mentor: Yi-Ting Tzen
Project: Estimating the Relative Effects of Pressure, Shear, and Skin Temperature on Sacral Tissue Stress Measured by Reactive Hyperemia
Using a non-invasive protocol, Kristen applied varying shear forces, temperatures, and pressures to a healthy human subject’s sacrum for 15 minutes. Using laser Doppler fluximetry, the reactive hyperemic response was recorded and Kristen and her fellow researchers performed a time frequency analysis on this data to examine the relative effects of each condition. Their main goal was to understand the reactive hyperemic response and develop a new protocol to further explore possibilities to prevent pressure ulcers.
Dan Hefley
Carnegie Mellon University, Sophomore
Major: Materials Science & Engineering
Minor: Bioengineering
Faculty Mentor: Rory Cooper
Graduate Student Mentor: Garrett Grindle
Project: Athletics Throwing Chair for Athletes with Disabilities
Athletics has been shown to increase the quality of life in persons with disabilities. Many barriers exist for persons with disabilities to compete in sports is and one of them is expensive or no technology to assist them. If no technology is available then it may be custom made, and during competitions this can be a large problem, especially at the elite levels. The need has arisen from these problems to create a standard throwing chair that is adjustable for everyone. Several design criteria for the chair were selected and Dan began the design process based on current products, literature review, and consultations with experts in the field. The resulting chair focuses on ease of use, customization, and improving performance for athletes. The final design features a triangular frame with an adjustable seat, knee block, holding pole, and footplate.
Jordan Klein (Awarded Best ASPIRE Presentation)
University of Michigan, Junior
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Kevin Toosi
Project: Acute Changes in Median Nerve Following Computer Keyboarding
Jordan investigated how the median nerve is affected by individuals performing the repetitive task of typing for an extended period of time. Subjects were asked to type on a standard computer keyboard for one hour using an electronic keyboarding program which measured typing speed and accuracy. Following the typing task, they had an ultrasound examination performed on them to compare differences in the median nerve to baseline images taken before typing. These differences include Cross-Sectional Area and Flattening Ratio. The main purpose of the study was to use ultrasound techniques to detect acute changes in the median nerve as a result of keyboarding. The results of this study provide a basis for comparison in future studies and allow discussing some of the planned future studies and their implications related to Carpal Tunnel.
Britta Moore
Lafayette College, Sophomore
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Mentors: Tricia Karg and Sue Fuhrman
Project: Transportation of Wheelchair Seated Students in School Buses State Policy: A Review
Britta assessed the implementation of best practices for specially equipped school buses. Key points of interest within state policies were identified based on site visit observations, common policies among state documents, and frequently adapted best practices. The National Congress on School Transportation (NCST) has created a comprehensive document that provides guidance on safe pupil transportation. A majority of states have adopted NCST guidelines either in full or in part, more readily adopting the bus specifications portions than the driver training directives, and infrequently addressing driver training for special needs transportation.
Megan Naber (Awarded ASPIRE Best Paper)
Marquette University, Senior
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Alicia Koontz
Graduate Student Mentor: Padmaja Kankipati
Project: Quantifying the Demand on the Shoulder during Lateral Wheelchair Transfers
Megan analyzed biomechanical data of wheelchair transfers in terms of strength capability. Peak torques from isokinetic strength data and peak shoulder moments during transfer were identified in five manual wheelchair users with paraplegia. A transfer strength rating (TSR) was calculated by finding the ratio of peak moment to corresponding shoulder isokinetic peak torque to find a percentage of capability demanded during transfers. Strength data revealed flexion as strongest and external rotation as weakest joint movement, consistent with prior studies. TSR values indicated that demands on several joint movements exceed the measured strength capability, including external rotation and extension. This analysis technique could potentially be used to identify which muscle groups to strengthen, increasing shoulder joint capacity to meet the demands of transfers.
Molly Rice
Vanderbilt University, Senior
Majors: Biomedical Engineering
Faculty Mentors: Ana Allegretti and Dave Brienza
Project: Developing the Methodology for Collection of Interface Pressure and Temperature in the Operating Room
Molly’s research objective was to develop a reliable procedure for collecting interface pressure and temperature data in the operating room. Standard operating room conditions were observed. A bench top test using a standard cushion loading indenter was used to examine the interaction between the pressure and temperature mapping systems and determine the most accurate configuration. Trials were conducted during which a volunteer lay on the following surfaces: a foam table alone, table with gel pad, table with air mattress, and table with gel pad and air mattress. The bench top tests showed that placing the temperature map beneath the pressure map resulted in temperature and pressure measurements closkest to the results obtained using either system alone. Though there are several factors that need yet to be examined, this study demonstrated a reliable method for measuring interface pressure and temperature on various support surfaces in the operating room.
Auburn University, Junior
Major: Industrial and Systems Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Jon Pearlman
Project: Developing a Generic Back Shape of Wheelchair Users to Help Improve Backrest Design
Back pain is very prominent in wheelchair users and is caused in part by poorly fitted backrests. To develop a better understanding of the back shapes of wheelchair users, back scans were collected from eighteen wheelchair users with various levels of spinal cord injuries. Viviana compared and analyzed the back scans in order to find a generic set of surfaces which best represent the subjects' back-shapes. By using cluster analysis, back surfaces were grouped by the coefficients of the z-values of a fitted polynomial equation. By collecting more data, clustering by anatomical measurements from the back may be plausible and would be very beneficial in clinical environments.
Rhode Island School of Design, Senior
Major: Industrial Design
Faculty Mentor: Jon Pearlman
Staff Mentor: David White
Project: Splint for Proximal Interphalangeal (PIP) Joint Contracture
Miriam designed a splint for a condition called PIP Contracture, which occurs when the lower knuckles of the hand are stuck in permanent flexion. The project idea was derived from a hand surgeon and an occupational therapist at the Veterans Affairs Hospital, University Drive. Miriam observed the surgeon’s consultations and interviewed patients with PIP contractures. The occupational therapists showed Miriam how the splints are made and problems with the models which are currently available. Miriam delivered a working prototype of the splint to the practitioners at the end of the program.
Ellen Bachman (Awarded Best QoLT Presentation)
University of Pittsburgh, Junior
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Rory Cooper
Student Mentor: Hongwu Wang
Project: Development of Electrical Powered Wheelchair Control Interfaces
The purpose of Ellen’s summer research was to review current control interfaces available for EPW users. Ellen tested three of the new interfaces that have been developed for the PerMMA project such as traditional joystick, isometric joystick, track ball, switch, etc. Ellen designed and fabricated a universal mounting system to easily attach and use these different control interfaces according to users’ requirements. Ellen test-drove the EPW with the different control interfaces to determine the pros and cons of each and possibly develop a recommendation for clinical selection of the appropriate interface for a user based on their functional capability.
Jeff Cama
University of South Florida, Sophomore
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Rory Cooper
Student Mentor: Hongwu Wang
Project: Sensing the Environment
Jeff worked on the implementation of an artificial intelligence system for action recognition in a kitchen environment. In a collaborative effort between researchers in robotics, artificial intelligence, sensing and planning, an automatic event recognition and anomaly detection system using computer vision is being developed. The experimental data consists of videos of subjects cooking and in particular making brownies. Among several modalities recorded, subjects wore inertial measurement units and infrared sensors which were recognized by a Vicon motion capture system. These motions were recorded and will be divided into actions (e.g., taking eggs, beating eggs, etc) which will then be used to train the computer to recognize actions in unseen video sequence.
Jorge Candiotti
University of Pittsburgh, Senior
Major: Electrical Engineering
Minor: Mathematics
Faculty Mentor: Rory Cooper
Student Mentor: Garrett Grindle
Project: Development of a Data Collection System for Promoting Proper PSF Usage in EPW Users
Jorge focused on the design and development of an intelligent system that records and collects data of the power wheelchair user’s daily activities and surroundings. This data storage system will collect the values from different sensors and will be used to implement the Seating Virtual Coach (SVC) through machine learning.
Adriana Chacon
University of South Florida, Senior
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Dan Ding
Student Mentor: Shivayogi Hiremath
Project: Evaluation of the RT3 Tri-axial Accelerometer to Measure Physical Activity in Manual Wheelchair Users with Spinal Cord Injury
Activity monitors that quantify physical activity and motivate individuals to improve their physical health have only been validated among the ambulatory population. Adriana evaluated the tri-axial accelerometer RT3 in manual wheelchair users with spinal cord injury and explored demographic and acceleration features that could improve current energy expenditure algorithms. The RT3 was placed on the arm and waist of ten participants who performed various types of activities. Physical activity was measured with energy expenditure. For high intensity activities, the RT3 on the arm and waist misrepresented physical activities. Using some of the demographic and acceleration features in current energy expenditure equations could improve results.
Mateo Echeverry
University of Florida, Sophomore
Major: Undeclared
Graduate Student Mentor: Tanya Liu
Project: Coaching Strategy for Seating Virtual Coach
Incorrect usage of Power Seat Functions (PSFs) has caused the risk of pressure sore formation in power wheelchair users to remain high. In an attempt to ensure correct usage of PSFs to reduce the risk of pressure sores in users, Mateo and researchers from the Human Engineering Research Laboratories designed a Seating Virtual Coach (SVC) to instruct the user on how to properly use the chair's power functions. The development of an ideal coaching protocol is essential to the SVC’s success. Mateo and the research team developed and tested four different protocols and evaluated the user’s preference to identify an ideal protocol for the SVC.
Elaine Houston
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Senior
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Minor: Spanish
Faculty Mentor: Rory Cooper
Student Mentor: Ben Salatin
Project: Smart Controller for an Electric Powered Wheelchair
Elaine developed an intelligent controller to allow more people with severe or complex disabilities to be able to independently control an electric powered wheelchair. The first and second generation Smart Controllers are the platform for a means to this end. The Smart Controller is a universal, open-source controller that will allow any researcher, and eventually clinician, to customize the controller to meet the needs of an individual user via custom software and interfaces.
Philip Koonce
Swarthmore College, Sophomore
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Jen Mankoff
Graduate Student Mentor: Amy Hurst
Project: Real World Pointing
Many people with motor or cognitive impairments have the motivation to use computers, but have trouble using a mouse and keyboard interface normally. The goal of the “Real World Pointing” project is to develop a user interface that detects and automatically adapts to the specific difficulties that a user might experience. Philip gathered usage data from the intended “Real World Pointing” users. The investigators hope that by examining the usage patterns these users exhibit using a normal interface, they can predict when a user might be having problems.
Kwadwo Som-Pimpong
Carnegie Mellon University, Junior
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Don Spaeth
Project: Virtual Job Coach: Assistive Instructional Media for TBI Patients
Kwadwo used the Solidworks Motion Manager© animation tool and PowerPoint© to create a prototype of software that may provide the visual support that will help TBI patients in procedural memory tasks such as putting a commercial or industrial product together. The purpose of the VJC would be to make TBI patients competitive in the job market and employable by employers looking for workers who are competent in the tasks required for the job. Being able to make a living and support a family is critical for the individual’s recovery and integration back into society.
Kelly Waldman (Awarded Best QoLT Paper)
Duke University, Junior
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Minor: History
Faculty Mentor: Jen Mankoff
Project: Chronic Web
In order to study how people use and trust the internet, a qualitative study was set up, consisting of a survey, interview, and diary study components, used together to help assemble the experience each participant has had in processing and acting on information he or she found. The survey briefly illustrated the general experience with the illness, what online communities respondents were involved in, and their decision making processes. From this, participants could volunteer to participate in interviews which Kelly conducted and the diary study. The interviews allowed for a more detailed account of the journey with Lyme disease, specifics on how users utilize time online, and how online information is applied.
David Weinberg
Vanderbilt University, Senior
Major: Biomedical Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Soundar Srinivasan
Project: Annotation for Sensor-based Recognition of Activities of Daily Living in Smart Home Environments
David compared strengths and weaknesses of multiple labeling or annotating techniques that could be used for recognition of resident activities in smart home environments. A smart home utilizes sensor data coupled with machine learning techniques, in order to predict resident activities and employ event automation. Recognition of activities of daily living (ADLs) has the potential to document behavior to caregivers, useful for assessing resident independence and human-related quality of life. David also surveyed several different annotation methods in previous research, evaluating their ability to identify heuristics for labeling activities of daily living from sensor-based data to determine the best annotation method for analyzing the data in this study.
Jonpaul Zelik
Major: Industrial and Systems Engineering
Faculty Mentor: Anind Dey
Grad Student Mentor: Matt Lee
Project: Improving Episodic Memory With The Use Of Memory Aid Technology