Computer Input Device for Muscular Dystrophy Final Report May 4, 2008 Team Members: Andrew Bertram, Joe Decker, Matt Parlato, Stephen Welch Clients: Richard Kunz Mary Sesto, Ph.D Advisor: Professor John Webster2 Table of Contents: Abstract……………………………………………………………….3 Background…………………………………………………………...3 Current Design………………………………………………………..4 Problem Statement……………………………………………………5 Previous Design………………………………………………………6 Alternative Designs Arm Support Design I: Scissors Lift…………………………7 Arm Support Design II: Dual Adjustment………………........8 Arm Support Design III: Adjustable Ramp…………………10 Cursor Control Design I: Graphics Tablet…………………..12 Cursor Control Design II: Joystick………………………….13 Cursor Control Design III: Reverse Optical Mouse………...14 Clicking Device Design I: Speech Recognition……………..16 Clicking Device Design II: Finger Guides…………………..17 Clicking Device Design III: Squeeze Stick………………….18 Final Design…………………………………………………………..20 Testing………………………………………………………………..25 Future Work…………………………………………………………..29 References…………………………………………………………….32 Appendix……………………………………………………………..333 Abstract Muscular dystrophy causes severe difficulty in movement; unfortunately, this condition worsens with time. The client, who has this condition, has requested a device that allows him access to his personal computer. He is currently using a device fashioned by himself, but he would like an improved design so that he can control his computer more efficiently. The goal of this project is to create a device that accomplishes this task; it should be more efficient than his current design. It should also be easier to set up, and simple to handle. Taking these specifications into account, it was decided that splitting the design into three components would allow more adjustable usage. The three components consist of an arm support, a cursor device, and a clicking device. The arm support will be an adjustable ramp for the client’s arms to rest on; the cursor device will incorporate an upside down optical mouse, and the clicking device will be a squeezable stick. Future work includes finalizing the design for the clicking device, then ordering the parts and finally constructing the prototype. Background Muscular dystrophy causes the progressive loss of muscle tissue and the weakening of existing skeletal muscle. As a result of muscle loss and weakening, people with muscular dystrophy lose movement and motion as time passes. There currently is no cure, so treatment consists of attempting to limit the symptoms of muscular dystrophy.4 Our client, Richard, has muscular dystrophy. Richard has very limited motion. He has movement in two fingers in each hand, and he can slightly turn his head. He does not, however, have full movement in those fingers. He can squeeze, and hold things in his right hand. In his left hand, Richard has less squeezing power and cannot hold things as well, but he can push hard enough to push a mouse button. Richard cannot get out of bed because of his limited motion. It is for this reason that he spends about eight hours a day using his computer. Richard enjoys using his computer for email, the internet and playing games. His computer truly is his connection to the world. Richard cannot use a traditional keyboard and mouse, and this why he needs a computer input device. Current Design Richard currently uses a traditional mouse with a large trackball as an input device for his computer. Richard holds a padded pencil in his right hand and uses the eraser end to move the trackball. This moves the cursor around the computer screen. To click, Richard pushes the mouse buttons with the pointer and middle fingers on his left hand. The mouse buttons have foam pieces attached to them so that Richard can reach them. The foam is also present so that pushing the buttons is easier on Richard’s skin. Muscular dystrophy has caused Richard to have extremely sensitive skin. This means that any contact point that Richard makes with the mouse, pencil, or any other surface must be padded. Since Richard has both hands centered around the mouse, his arms must be supported and propped up so that they are stable enough for him to be able to use his mouse. The current design uses multiple towels that are rolled or folded, and placed underneath both of Richard’s arms. The placement of these towels allows him to5 comfortably reach and use his mouse. Figure 1 shows the current computer input device and support system that Richard uses. Figure 1: Current computer input design. Problem Statement Richard’s current input device allows him to use his computer, but it is inefficient and time consuming to set-up. On average it takes about 30 min to get Richard settled. This is because the mouse and towels have to be in precise locations so that Richard can safely and successfully access his mouse. The stability of the current design is also an issue. Components of the current device often slip, and need to be readjusted. The tape holding the foam pieces on the mouse buttons does not hold very well, and when the foam slips, Richard is unable to click until somebody readjusts his set-up. These adjustments can take a few minutes, and they are needed a couple of times every hour. Another issue that Richard has with the current design is the inefficiency of his trackball. It takes Richard about six sweeps with his pencil across the trackball to move the cursor across the screen just once.6 Richard needs a computer input device that is easy to use, efficient, and simple to set-up. It has to be reliable, durable, and long lasting. It also should be stable and safe, so that Richard can use it for long periods of time without discomfort or the need for readjustment. Previous Semester’s Design A group of students from the Fall 2007 semester worked on
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