Wearable sensors to promote arm and hand function after stroke

目标：本方案将1)设计并验证一种可表征和监控的可穿戴传感器系统 中风患者手臂和手的功能性运动和2)评估可穿戴传感器系统对 改善中风患者的上肢功能。 问题：虽然中风后更多地练习手臂和手的运动会带来更好的效果，但这一点已经得到证实 结果、激励和监测患者(不需要额外昂贵的监督)是最紧迫的问题之一 康复方面的挑战。 建议的解决方案：手臂康复监测器(ARM)将是第一个能够 识别和监控功能性动作，包括伸手、张手和抓握。我们将从根本上实施 新技术。具体地说，我们将设计一种智能皮肤传感器，它由聚合物制成，对 运动过程中皮肤和肌肉结构的弯曲力和拉伸力。因此，聚合物臂带将能够 准确地测量和识别手臂和手的动作，同时不显眼地进行正常操作 日常活动。我们将向治疗师提供该设备，并评估其对改善中风患者手臂功能的效果 幸存者。我们将涉及研究人员、患者、临床医生(GF Strong康复中心)和卫生当局(温哥华 海岸健康)，以确保结果可以实施到临床实践中。 意义：智能皮肤传感器的设计将在工程上取得进展，以应用于 康复、计算机接口和人体工程学。此外，手臂还具有改善上肢的潜力 每年中风的50,000加拿大人的功能，并将适用于许多其他情况(例如，脊髓 脊髓损伤、肩部和手部手术、乳腺癌后手臂淋巴水肿)。

OBJECTIVES: This proposal will 1) design and validate a wearable sensor system which can characterize and monitor functional arm and hand movements in people with stroke and 2) evaluate the effect of the wearable sensor system on improving upper extremity function in individuals with stroke. THE PROBLEM: While it is well established that greater practice of arm and hand movements after stroke leads to better outcomes, motivating and monitoring patients (without additional expensive supervision) is one of the most pressing challenges in rehabilitation. PROPOSED SOLUTION: The Arm Rehabilitation Monitor (ARM) will be the first upper extremity movement sensor that can identify and monitor functional movements, including reaching, hand opening and grasping. We will implement a radically novel technology. Specifically, we will engineer an intelligent skin sensor fabricated with polymers which is sensitive to the bending and stretching forces of the skin and muscle structures during movement. Thus, a polymer arm band will be able to accurately measure and identify arm and hand movements in an unobtrusive manner while individuals go about their normal everyday activities. We will provide the device to therapists and evaluate its effect on improving arm function in stroke survivors. We will involve researchers, patients, clinicians (GF Strong Rehab Centre) and health authorities (Vancouver Coastal Health) to ensure the results can be implemented into clinical practice. SIGNIFICANCE: Advances in engineering will be made in the design of intelligent skin sensors for the application of rehabilitation, computer interfaces and ergonomics. In addition the ARM has the potential to improve the upper extremity function of the 50,000 Canadians who have a stroke each year, and will be applicable to many other conditions (e.g., spinal cord injury, surgery of the shoulder and hand, arm lymphedema after breast cancer).