Robotic Assisted Transfer System (RATS)

描述（由申请人提供）：本研究的总体目标是设计解决方案，使需要帮助（人力或机械）的重度残疾人能够在家中、朋友/家人家中以及整个社区（例如，酒店、餐馆、购物中心）以安全、舒适、高效和方便的方式。该项目的目的是对机器人辅助转移系统（RATS）进行进一步的研究和开发，以确定其可行性和市场潜力。有许多条件的人的能力（例如，脊髓损伤、多发性硬化症、肌萎缩侧索硬化症、多处截肢、中风、创伤性脑损伤）在家中和社区中最大程度地独立生活的能力通常取决于（至少部分取决于）他们转移或被转移的能力 一个助手。为了帮助重度残疾人在家中生活并参与生活活动，保险或其他机构可提供个人护理服务，在某些情况下为提供这些服务的家庭成员提供津贴。此外，独立转移是上肢损伤和关节退化的常见来源，这通常导致随着时间的推移需要辅助转移。最近的研究还表明，当高度差大于75 mm或表面之间的差距大于150 mm时，许多可以执行独立转移的人需要帮助。对于需要人力和/或机械协助进行转移的PSD，没有太多好的选择。在与人类助手的依赖性转移过程中，轮椅使用者和助手都有很高的受伤风险（急性和累积），特别是在长期内。人类辅助转移的不同技术已被发现将助手置于适度的受伤风险中，研究结果建议进一步开发和使用机械设备。研究表明，长期护理机构的临床医生认为，使用机械转移辅助装置时，他们受伤的风险显著降低。床到椅子和椅子到厕所的转移一直被列为PSD和照顾者所需的最具体力的任务。有许多转移装置，其范围从滑板到轮式起重机型升降机（例如，Hoyer升降机）到天花板安装的轨道升降机。在机械辅助设备中，所有设备都适用于光滑、平坦、水平的表面，并且没有一个是机器人系统，可以大大减少护理人员和PSD的压力。RATS旨在通过开发和生产一种新型机器人辅助技术来提高PSD的独立性和生活质量，该技术将帮助他们过上更正常的生活，同时减少PSD和护理人员受伤的机会。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): The overarching objective of this study is to engineer solutions to allow people with severe disabilities who require assistance (human or mechanical) while transferring to be able to transfer in their homes, homes of friends/family, and in the community at large (e.g., hotels, restaurants, shopping malls) in a safe, comfortable, efficient, and convenient manner. The intent of this project is to conduct further research and development of the Robotic Assisted Transfer System (RATS) to determine its feasibility and potential for marketability. The ability of people with many conditions (e.g., SCI, MS, ALS, 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 people with severe disabilities (PSD) live at home and participate in life's activities, insurance or other agencies may provide for personal attendant care services and in some cases provide stipends for family members providing these services. Further, independent transfers are a common source of upper extremity injuries and joint degeneration that often leads to the need for assistance with transfers over time. Recent research has also shown that many people who can perform independent transfers need assistance when the height differential is greater than 75 mm or the gap between surfaces is greater than 150 mm. For PSD who need human and or mechanical assistance with transfers there are not a lot of good options. During dependent transfers with a human assistant, there is a high risk of injury (both acute and cumulative) to both the wheelchair user and the assistant, especially over the long-term. Different techniques for human assisted transfers have been found to place the assistant at modest risk for injury, and study findings recommended further development and usage of mechanical devices. Research has shown that clinicians in long-term care facilities felt that their risk for injury was significantly reduced when using mechanical transfer assist devices. Bed to chair and chair to toilet transfers are consistently ranked among the most physically stressful tasks required of PSD and caregivers. There are a number of transfer devices that range from sliding boards to wheeled crane-type lifts (e.g., Hoyer lifts) to ceiling mounted track lifts. Of the mechanical assist devices, all are intended for smooth, flat, level surfaces, and none are robotic systems that greatly reduce the strain on caregivers and PSD. The RATS aims to enhance the independence and quality-of-life of PSD through the development and production of a novel robotic assistive technology that will assist them in leading a more normal life while reducing the chance of injury for both the PSD and the caregiver.