Assessment of an Experimental Robotic Assisted Transfer Device

描述(由申请人提供)： 项目摘要/摘要患有脊髓损伤、多发性硬化症、肌萎缩侧索硬化症和许多其他疾病(例如，多处截肢、中风、创伤性脑损伤)的退伍军人在家中和社区生活的能力具有最大的独立性，通常至少部分取决于他们转移或被助手转移的能力。为了帮助严重残疾退伍军人(VSD)生活在 在家庭和参与生活活动的情况下，退伍军人管理局可以提供个人护理服务，在某些情况下还会为提供这些服务的家庭成员提供津贴。这项赠款的主要重点是设计解决方案，使在转移过程中需要帮助(人或机械)的VSD能够以安全、舒适、高效和方便的方式在自己的家中、朋友/家人的家中和整个社区(如酒店、餐馆、购物中心)进行转移。临床经验、焦点小组和临床文献强烈支持这一目标。我们认为，一个安装在轮椅上并易于运输的、易于使用的协助转运系统可能会对VSD的生活质量产生重大影响。我们还希望这将转化为参与度的提高，特别是在患有脊髓损伤、多发性硬化症或肌萎缩侧索硬化症等疾病的退伍军人的情况下。人类工程研究实验室-机器人辅助转移装置(HERL-RATD)是一个尚未被充分研究的新概念。我们建议，电动轮椅安装的机器人转移装置将为社区参与、与朋友和家人的互动以及学校、就业和旅行打开新的可能性。最终，我们预计Herl-RATD将有助于提高严重残疾退伍军人(如脊髓损伤、多发性硬化症、肌萎缩侧索硬化症和多肢截肢)的功能和生活质量。我们的文献回顾、焦点小组和临床经验发现了当前方法的几个缺点：-设备不容易运输，只能在家庭或临床环境中使用。可运输的转移设备(例如，转移 董事会)给助理带来了相当大的压力。-设备方便了居家生活，但不能 充分支持社区融合(例如，不能在当地购物中心或拜访酒店、朋友或家人时使用厕所)。-许多生活空间(如浴室、卧室)在试图放置轮椅、起重设备和助手时变得拥挤，这极大地限制了进行依赖或辅助转移的方式，这影响了安全性。-几乎没有研究来了解便携、用户友好的辅助转移设备的生物力学、人体工程学和优化设计。这项提议的成功完成将导致一种实用的轮椅上安装的移动机器人辅助转移装置(RATD)的验证。差饷物业估价署将为船民事务署及其照顾者提供更大的自主权和自由，让他们参与社会。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Project Summary/Abstract The ability of Veterans with SCI, MS, ALS, and many other conditions (e.g., multiple amputations, stroke, traumatic brain injury) to live in their homes and communities with maximal independence often hinges, at least in part, on their ability to transfer or be transferred by an assistant. In order to help Veterans with severe disabilities (VSD) live at home and participate in life's activities, the VA may provide for personal attendant care services and in some cases provide stipends for family members providing these services. The primary focus of this grant is study is to engineer solutions to allow VSD who require assistance (human or mechanical) while transferring to be able to transfer in their own homes, in the homes of friends/family, and in the community at large (e.g., hotels, restaurants, shopping malls) in a safe comfortable, efficient, and convenient manner. Clinical experience, focus groups, and the clinical literature strongly support this aim. We believe that an easy to use system for assisting with transfers that is attached to the wheelchair and readily transportable could have a significant impact on the quality of life of VSD. We also hope that this will translate to improvements in participation, particularly in the case of veterans with SCI, MS, or ALS, and other conditions. The Human Engineering Research Laboratories - Robotic Assisted Transfer Device (HERL-RATD) is a new idea that has not been fully investigated. We propose that an electric powered wheelchair mounted robotic transfer device will open new possibilities for community participation, interaction with friends and family, and for school, employment, and travel. Ultimately, we expect that the HERL-RATD will contribute to increased function and quality of life for veterans with severe disabilities (e.g., SCI, MS, ALS, and multi-limb amputations). Our literature review, focus group, and clinical experience have identified several shortcomings with current approaches: - Devices are not easily transportable and are intended only for use in a home or clinical setting. Transfer devices that are transportable (e.g., transfer boards) place considerable strain on the assistant. - Devices facilitate living at home, but do not adequately support community integration (e.g., cannot use the toilet at a local shopping mall or when visiting a hotel, friend or family). - Many living spaces (e.g., bathrooms, bedrooms) become crowded when trying to position a wheelchair, lifting device, and assistant, which greatly constrain the manner in which dependent or assisted transfers can be performed, which affects safety. - There has been little research to understand the biomechanics, ergonomics, and optimal design of portable, user friendly assistive transfer devices. Successful completion of this proposal will lead to the validation of a practical wheelchair mounted mobile robotic-assisted-transfer-device (RATD). The RATD will provide VSD and their caregivers greater autonomy and freedom to participate in the community at large.