New York University
2016 BMEidea Third Prize Winner – $2,500
The team members:
Ashwin Raj Kumar, PhD Candidate, Mechanical Engineering
Sai Prasanth Krishnamoorthy, MS Candidate, Mechatronics and Robotics
Collaborators:
Prof. Vikram Kapila, New York University
Dr. Preeti Raghavan New York University
Summary of problem & solution:
Stroke is the leading cause of disability affecting people all over the world. The majority of post-stroke victims suffer what is known as hemiparesis, in which the person experiences severe weakness or reduced motor control on one side of the body. The lost motor function must be relearned quickly in order to reduce dependence on others for help with daily activities. However, current stroke rehabilitation technology fails to facilitate a learning environment and does not motivate patients to recovery. This team’s wearable mechatronic device combines a transfer paradigm with modern day phone technology through an interactive virtual reality game. The device features: a modular jacket to measure arm orientation, a glove to measure wrist orientation and finger joint angles, and microcontrollers. The microcontrollers quantify tasks that have been performed and then communicate with a smartphone to display to doctors and patients the progress of recovery. Through the interactive game the product reinforces what the patient has learned and motivates them to continue rehabilitating their stroke-related disabilities.