Wheelchair vibration: origin, implications and reduction for manual wheelchairs

本提案的目的是了解和减少在推进过程中发生的振动，这些振动会导致手动轮椅使用者疼痛/痉挛。我们计划在未来5年内研究轮椅振动的三个方面。在第一个目标中，我们将致力于探索轮椅上的哪些区域有助于抑制振动。越来越多的人使用由钛或铝制成的刚性框架设计的轮椅，这些轮椅被开发成更轻，更耐用，更高效。刚性框架相对于折叠框架允许来自轮椅使用者的更多推进力被传递到轮子和向前运动。如果在这个系统中存在振动，那么这种设计也可以以与折叠框架不同的频率更容易地通过椅子传递振动。使用安装在框架、脚踏板和咬合杆上的加速度计，我们可以测量轮椅设计对振动传递的不同影响。在第二个目标中，我们将探索轮椅推进过程中的振动与脊髓损伤痉挛受试者的肌肉反应之间的关系。使用肌电图技术，我们将测量在不同的振动频率和幅度的神经肌肉反应，记录哪种类型的振动引起最大的反应，以及记录个人的主观经验的疼痛.我们的第三个目标是分解轮椅的每个部件，以检查在不损害轮椅框架完整性的情况下，在多大程度上可以减振。了解了什么样的振动水平对SCI患者来说是最具挑战性的，我们可以开发针对该范围的阻尼系统。

The objective of this proposal is to understand and reduce the vibrations and that occur  during propulsionwhich cause pain/spasms in manual wheelchair users. We plan to study three aspects of wheelchair vibrationover the next 5 years.In the first goal, we will work at exploring what areas on the wheelchair contribute to dampen vibration. More individuals are using rigid frame designed wheelchairs made from titanium or aluminium that are developed to be lighter, more durable and more efficient. The rigid frame versus the folding frame allows for more of the propulsion effort from the wheelchair user to be transmitted to the wheel and forward movement. IF there is vibration within this system, then this design, too, may transmit vibration more easily through the chair at adifferent frequency than with a folding frame. Using accelerometers mounted to the frame and foot rest andbite bar, we can measure the different effects wheelchair design has on vibration transmission.In the second goal we will explore the relationship between vibration during wheelchair propulsion and themuscle response in spinal cord injured subjects who experience spasms. Using electromyography techniqueswe will measure the neuromuscular response during various vibration frequencies and magnitudes recordingwhat type of vibration elicits the greatest response as well as record what the individual is subjectivelyexperience for pain. This will then give us an idea of what vibration frequency need to be dampened.Our third goal is to break down each component of the wheelchair to examine at what level vibrationdampening is possible without compromising the integrity of the wheelchair frame. Knowing what vibrationlevels are most challenging for the individuals with SCI, we can develop dampening systems to target thatrange.