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Prosthetic arm monitoring system using a programmable interface controller.
B A Denaro1, J S Schoenberg, B P Self
1Department of Electrical Engineering, U.S. Air Force Academy, CO 80840, USA.
Biomedical Sciences Instrumentation
|May 12, 2001
Summary
A new sensor system objectively measures prosthetic arm wear and hand use in children. This technology provides crucial data beyond subjective feedback for improved prosthetic fitting and function.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Prosthetics and Orthotics
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
Background:
- Children with upper extremity limb deficiency utilize prosthetic arms for daily function.
- Current assessment methods rely on subjective feedback and controlled settings, lacking objective daily use data.
- Prosthetic arm costs range from $3,000 to $15,000, necessitating effective use monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an unobtrusive sensor system for quantifying prosthetic arm wear time and hand activation frequency in children.
- To provide objective data on prosthesis usage during daily activities.
Main Methods:
- Development of a sensor system using a programmable interface controller (PIC) with integrated circuitry and memory.
- The system records daily wear patterns and hand usage at 15-minute intervals.
- Components (87g total mass) fit within a child's prosthesis forearm cavity; data is downloadable via a personal computer interface.
Main Results:
- A functional sensor system has been developed and integrated into pediatric prosthetics.
- The system is capable of recording data for up to three months on a single charge.
- Controlled trials are currently in progress to validate system reliability.
Conclusions:
- The developed sensor system offers an objective method for monitoring prosthetic arm use in children.
- This technology has the potential to enhance clinical decision-making and improve patient outcomes.
- Further validation is required to establish widespread clinical reliability.