STTR Phase II: Developing a Mixed Reality Rehabilitation System

这个小企业技术转让（STTR）第二阶段项目研究了基于混合现实（MR）触觉的虚拟现实系统的进一步开发，为商业化做准备。该MR系统将有助于上肢残疾的脑卒中患者的身体康复。该MR系统包括硬件和软件，旨在通过心理练习、视频捕捉身体运动和引人入胜的混合现实场景诱导神经可塑性变化并增加移动性。本项目的目标是提交适当的文书工作，以获得系统的监管批准，准备在市场上使用，在场景中改进系统，添加心理练习和视频捕获场景，将指标编程到系统中，开发传感器跟踪接口和远程康复功能，并进行临床试验以确定系统的安全性和有效性。该项目由来自虚拟现实医疗中心、中央佛罗里达大学模拟与培训研究所和Kindred医院（顾问）的合格研究人员组成的合作团队领导，将增加对传统中风康复治疗的最先进的专家的了解。到目前为止，还没有一种有利于心理练习（包括视频捕获）和辅助物理治疗的MR康复工具被商业化。STTR第二阶段项目将实现新软件和硬件的商业化，这些软件和硬件可用于混合现实系统的进一步技术开发，包括用于截肢者假肢康复等其他应用的软件和硬件。该项目的成功也将增加关于康复中心理实践的科学知识基础。仅在美国就有超过1200万家庭的成员身体发育，因此，该项目的成功将为未来康复系统的开发和商业化铺平道路，以帮助这一广泛而服务不足的人群。通过增加中风患者的上肢活动性和恢复率，该系统还将增加他们的日常活动，实现家庭物理治疗，减轻护理人员的一些负担，并降低生产力损失和住院时间的成本。该项目的成功所产生的商业衍生公司将位于中央佛罗里达大学医学院附近，未来的联合项目将包括招募和培训学生（包括来自服务不足人群的学生）进行研究。这家商业分拆公司还将在佛罗里达高科技走廊内创造新的就业机会、应纳税收入和收入。

This Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase II project investigates further development of a mixed reality (MR) haptics-based virtual reality system in preparation for commercialization. This MR system will aid the physical rehabilitation of stroke patients with upper extremity disabilities. This MR system includes hardware and software designed to induce neuroplastic changes and increase mobility through mental practice, video capture body movement, and engaging mixed reality scenarios. The goals of this project will be to file the appropriate paperwork for regulatory approval of the system in preparation of use on the market, improve the system in scenarios, add mental practice and video capture scenarios, program metrics into the system, develop sensor tracking interface and telerehabilitation capabilities, and conduct clinical trial to determine system safety and efficacy. Headed by a collaborative team of qualified investigators from The Virtual Reality Medical Center, the University of Central Florida's Institute for Simulation and Training, and Kindred Hospital (consultant), this project will increase the understanding of state-of-the-art adjuncts to traditional stroke rehabilitation therapy. To date, no MR rehabilitation tool that facilitates mental practice, includes video capturing, and aids physical therapy, has ever been commercialized. The resulting marketable product will be sold to rehabilitation facilities.This STTR Phase II project will lead to the commercialization of new software and hardware that can be used for further technological developments in mixed reality systems, including those for other applications such as prosthetic limb rehabilitation for amputees. The success of this project will also add to the scientific knowledge base on what is known about mental practice in rehabilitation. With over twelve million families in the U.S. alone that have members with a physical development, success in this project will therefore pave the development and commercialization of future rehabilitation systems to help this broad and underserved population. By increasing stroke patients' upper extremity mobility and rate of recovery, this system will also increase their activities of daily, enable at-home physical therapy, relieve some of the burden of caregivers, and decrease costs in lost productivity and hospital length of stay. The commercial spin-out company resulting from success of this project will be located near the University of Central Florida's College of Medicine where future joint projects will include recruiting and training students (including those from underserved populations) in research. The commercial spin-out company will also create new jobs, taxable revenue, and income within the Florida High Tech Corridor.