Reliable/Safe Laser Pointing-People Locked-in Syndrome

描述（由申请人提供）：拟议的项目使活动非常有限的人能够安全地使用激光来控制辅助设备。第一阶段快速通道研究的重点是开发一种定制的、低成本的光敏材料，这种材料可以检测激光发出的光。在第一阶段获得的基础科学知识将使研究团队能够可靠地制造激光传感表面。第一阶段的目标是无故障地生产5个信号噪声比至少为3:1的激光传感表面。第二阶段快速通道研究的重点是通过完成三个主要任务来证明安全激光指向系统对闭锁综合征患者的可靠性、安全性和有效性。首先，技术团队将继续优化第一阶段开发的激光传感表面，并为临床评估生产可靠的原型。其次，我们必须设计一个安全的激光笔，重量轻，易于磨损和指向。第三，闭锁综合症患者、他们的家人和照顾他们的专业人员将在为期18个月的临床研究中全面评估这些原型。该评估将从培训辅助技术使用和成功将技术融入生活的角度，证明原型的可靠性和安全性，以及安全激光指向系统在满足服务不足的LIS人口的辅助技术需求方面的有效性。安全激光指向系统是一种重要的、创新的、广泛的残疾病因获取方法，包括脑瘫、肌萎缩性侧索硬化症、脑干中风、创伤性脑损伤和重症肌无力。它使许多行动受限的人能够实现对电子技术的直接访问控制，避免使用单开关扫描。在完成这项研究后，我们将实施一个精心设计的快速商业化计划，使这项技术能够为需要它的人所用。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The proposed project enables people with very limited movement to use a laser to control assistive devices - safely. This Phase 1 Fast-Track research focuses on developing a custom, low-cost, photosensitive material that detects the light from a laser. The fundamental scientific knowledge gained during Phase 1 will enable the research team to manufacture laser-sensing surfaces reliably. The goal for Phase 1 is to produce, without failure, five laser-sensing surfaces with a signal-to-noise ratio of at least 3:1. The Phase 2 Fast-Track research focuses on demonstrating the reliability, safety, and efficacy of the Safe- laser Pointing System for individuals with Locked-in Syndrome by completing three major tasks. First, the technical team will continue its work by optimizing the laser-sensing surface developed in Phase 1 and producing reliable prototypes for clinical evaluation. Second, we must design a Safe-laser pointer that is lightweight, and easy to wear and point. Third, individuals with Locked-in Syndrome (LIS), their families, and the professionals that care for them will comprehensively evaluate these prototypes over an 18-month clinical study. This evaluation will demonstrate the reliability and safety of the prototypes, and the efficacy of the Safe-laser Pointing System for meeting the assistive technology needs of the underserved LIS population, both from the perspective of training assistive technology use and successfully integrating technology into their lives. The Safe-laser Pointing System is an important, innovative, access method for a wide range of disability etiologies, including cerebral palsy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, brainstem stroke, traumatic brain injury, and myasthenia gravis. It enables many people with restricted movement to achieve direct access control of electronic technology and avoid the use of single-switch scanning. Upon completion of this research, we will implement a well-conceived and swift commercialization plan to make this technology available to the people that need it.