Resistopalatography as an assistive technology for users with spinal cord injuries

Translating a desired user's input using conventional methods such as a keyboard and mouse for the computer, or a joystick for a wheelchair is a major challenge faced by users whom have no limb control. This paper describes an iteration of Resistopalatography, a method using the tongue as a pointing device to emulate the use of the hand for cursor movement and wheelchair control. The system employs force sensitive sensors located within the mouth on a dental retainer plate to measure the tongue's pressure against the hard palate. The position and force of tongue against the sensors can be translated into mouse cursor or wheelchair joystick equivalents.