Assessment of an Experimental Robotic Assisted Transfer Device

描述（由申请人提供）： 项目摘要/摘要退伍军人的能力与SCI，MS，ALS，和许多其他条件（例如，残疾人（包括残疾人、为了帮助严重残疾的退伍军人（VSD）生活在 在家庭和参与生活活动方面，退伍军人事务部可以提供个人护理服务，在某些情况下，为提供这些服务的家庭成员提供津贴。该补助金的主要重点是研究工程解决方案，以允许VSD谁需要帮助（人力或机械），而转移能够转移在自己的家中，在朋友/家人的家中，并在整个社区（例如，酒店、饭店、商场）安全舒适、高效便捷。临床经验、焦点小组和临床文献强烈支持这一目标。我们相信，一个易于使用的系统，用于协助转移，是连接到轮椅和易于运输可能有重大影响的生活质量的室间隔缺损。我们还希望这将转化为参与度的改善，特别是对于患有SCI、MS或ALS和其他疾病的退伍军人。人类工程研究实验室-机器人辅助转移装置（HERL-RATD）是一个尚未得到充分研究的新想法。我们建议，电动轮椅安装机器人传输设备将打开新的可能性，社区参与，与朋友和家人的互动，并为学校，就业和旅行。最终，我们希望HERL-RATD将有助于提高严重残疾退伍军人的功能和生活质量（例如，SCI、MS、ALS和多肢截肢）。我们的文献综述、焦点小组和临床经验已经确定了当前方法的几个缺点：-器械不易运输，仅适用于家庭或临床环境。可运输的转移装置（例如，转移 （2）对助理人员的压力很大。- 这些设备有助于居家生活，但 充分支持社区融合（例如，不能在当地的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（例如，浴室、卧室）在试图定位轮椅、升降设备和助手时变得拥挤，这极大地限制了可以执行依赖或辅助转移的方式，这影响了安全性。- 很少有研究来了解生物力学，人体工程学和便携式，用户友好的辅助转移设备的优化设计。成功完成这一建议将导致一个实用的轮椅安装移动的机器人辅助转移设备（RATD）的验证。RATD将为VSD及其护理人员提供更大的自主权和参与社区的自由。

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.