GARDE: FEASIBILITY AND USABILITY ASSESSMENT OF AN INTRAORAL INCONSPICUOUS CONTROL SURFACE

Pi：Ghovanloo计划编号：1264624 Pi和他的团队开发了一种无线舌控辅助技术(AT)，称为舌头驱动系统(TDS)。在四肢瘫痪患者身上使用类似无线耳机的外部版本的TDS(ETDS)进行的临床试验，已经很好地确立了ETDS相对于传统设备(如sip-n-puff)的功能性、易用性和可接受性。然而，ETDS的机械稳定性不足，影响了其在不受控制的日常生活条件下的可靠性和可用性。虽然可以通过可伸缩的卡箍和卡扣将ETD牢牢固定在用户的头上，但其结果可能会降低长期使用的舒适性，并对其外观产生负面影响。另一种解决方案是高度微型化的口腔内TDS(ITDS)版本，其形式为牙齿固位体，可以根据用户的口腔解剖和扣合到用户的牙齿上，类似于正畸支具。然而，人们对口腔内矫治器用作无线舌形操纵面的可行性、舒适性和可用性知之甚少。智力优势：拟议研究的主要目标是：(A)设计和开发可用于人体受试者试验的全功能概念验证ITDS原型，同时解决关键的技术挑战。(B)从可接受性、舒适度以及对其他活动的潜在干扰(如使用模拟口腔用具和耳机的言语和摄入)、访谈和涉及具有严重肢体残疾的潜在最终用户的焦点群体等方面，定性地比较ETDS和ITDS。(C)详细定量评估口腔内方法与ETDS方法的优缺点，评估的依据是人机界面领域中被广泛接受的绩效衡量标准，以及对外部干扰因素的可靠性和稳健性。更广泛的影响：所有年龄段的残疾人数量都在增加，特别是目前占美国人口12%的老年人。由于各种原因导致严重残疾的人，从脊髓损伤到中风、脑瘫和肌萎缩侧索硬化症，发现如果没有持续的帮助，执行日常任务非常困难。我们打算通过帮助最严重的残疾人过上积极、自立和富有成效的生活来改变他们的生活。瘫痪被认为是最昂贵的残疾之一。像ITDS这样的解决方案可以帮助降低医疗保健和辅助生活成本，并提高严重残疾人的就业能力，使他们能够更充分地参与社会，同时让他们的家人或敬业的照顾者松一口气。身体健全的人甚至可以使用ITDS，因为这些人的肢体运动受到了阻碍。

PI: Ghovanloo Proposal Number: 1264624The PI and his team have developed a wireless tongue-operated assistive technology (AT), known as the Tongue Drive System (TDS). Clinical trials on participants with tetraplegia using an external version of the TDS (eTDS), which resembles a wireless headphone, have well established the functionality, ease of use, and acceptability of the eTDS over traditional devices, such as Sip-n-puff. However, mechanical stability of the eTDS is insufficient, and affects its reliability and usability in uncontrolled daily life conditions. While it is possible to firmly secure the eTDS on the user's head with stretchable traps and buckles, the result may reduce the comfort level in long term usage and negatively impact its appearance. An alternative solution is a highly miniaturized intraoral version of the TDS (iTDS) in the form of a dental retainer, which can be customized based on the user's oral anatomy and clasp onto the user's teeth similar to an orthodontic brace. However, very little is known about the feasibility, level of comfort, and usability of an intraoral appliance to be used as a wireless tongue-operated control surface.Intellectual Merit: The main objectives of the proposed research are: (A) Design and development of a fully functional proof-of-concept iTDS prototype that can be used in human subject trials, while solving key technical challenges. (B) Qualitatively compare the eTDS and iTDS in terms of acceptability, level of comfort, and potential interference with other activities such as speech and ingestion using mockup oral appliances and headsets, interviews, and focus groups involving potential end users with severe physical disabilities. (c) Detailed quantitative assessment of the pros and cons of the intraoral approach in comparison with the eTDS approach based on widely accepted performance measures in the field of human-computer interfacing as well as reliability and robustness against external interfering factors. Broader Impacts: The number of people with disabilities is increasing among all age groups, particularly the elderly who currently comprise 12% of the U.S. population. Individuals severely disabled as a result of various causes from spinal cord injuries to stroke, cerebral palsy, and ALS find it extremely difficult to carry out everyday tasks without continuous help. We intend to transform the lives of the most severely disabled individuals by helping them live active, self-supportive, and productive lives. Paralysis is considered one of the most expensive disabilities. Solutions such as the iTDS could help reduce healthcare and assisted-living costs and increase the employability of people with severe disabilities, allowing them to participate more fully in the society, while relieving their family members or dedicated caregivers. iTDS can even be used by able-bodied individuals, where motion of the limbs is hindered.