Project Status: COMPLETED

Problem: Children with visual attention disorder (wandering eyes) have difficulty converging their eyes and hand on the writing surface. This problem is common with autism, attention deficit disorder, cerebral palsy, and Downs syndrome.
Design Approach: U.S. Air Force Academy computer science students have developed a revolutionary tablet PC-based system called PointScribe which uses sounds and animation to draw children's eyes to the writing surface. We are currently conducting a study with over 100 children in Pike's Peak area schools and will license the technology commercially. This technology is patent-pending (Click here for more information.)  and is being commercialized by Ultrathera Technologies. Inc.

 

PROJECT: Interactive Hand/Wrist Therapy System ("Manipulus")

Project Status: COMPLETED

Problem: Commercially-available therapy devices have no quantitative analysis capability, little to no biofeedback, and are too boring to hold a patient's attention or sustain maximum effort (making therapy sessions especially difficult for children)
Design Approach: Develop a table-mountable therapeutic "joystick" that controls video games; the universal base would house "snap in" attachments that simulate the most common hand/wrist motions; the joystick will connect to any computer through a USB cord; the motion, resistance, and difficulty levels will be set by the therapist through specialized intermediary software; the games will be relatively simple and based on 2-5 inputs.
Design Activity: Project activity stopped. Found similar device available.

 

PROJECT: Therapuetic Elliptical Walking Cycle ("Step-n-Gait")

Project Status: COMPLETED

Problem: Children with severe balance and coordination problems need a fun, safe way to learn to walk; current elliptical devices like the Pedalo™ that look like a scooter are not adjustable to different skill levels and do not steer; while the elliptical motion forces weight shifting and motor planning, it needs to more closely simulate the walking gate; there is also a need for a device that could provide a low-impact method for lower body rehabilitation after an injury.
Design Approach: Develop a steerable, walking-motion, pedaling system with adjustable wheel base; the wheels can be changed from wide-base (for maximum stability) to narrow-base (simulating an in-line 2-wheel scooter or bike); the elliptical pattern will be adjusted slightly to more closely simulate the heel-toe strike involved in the walking gate.
Design Activity: Suspended in 2009. First generation device completed.

 

PROJECT: Sensor-enhanced Balancing Platform ("TheraBalance")

Project Status: COMPLETED

Problem: Commercially-available low-end balance devices have no quantitative analysis capability; commercially-available high-end devices are too complex, too expensive, and too large for portable use; balance device can be used for those with balance issues, lower body rehabilitation, or advanced athletic training.
Design Approach: Develop a portable, electro-mechanical, ball-joint system with advanced sensors, gyros, and displays; the platform will operate in 3 directional modes (front-back, side-side, and free-play); the on-board processor will collect key inputs (time-to-balance, total displacement over time, etc); data transfer will be through USB thumb drive; specialized desktop software will help therapists track and analyze progress.
Design Activity: Funding being sought to complete two prototypes and place them in therapy clinics. Patent is pending for TheraBalance.

 

PROJECT: Exoskelton ("ExoGrip")

Project Status: IN DEVELOPMENT

Problem: Patients with nerve damage in their arm or with back injuries may need strength support and also require constant therapy to prevent muscle atrophy/contracture; current assistive technology is extremely heavy and bulky, mostly mechanical, and largely non-portable; the proposed focus for an improved model would be for those with diminished strength but full tactile sensation in their hand/arm (i.e., trauma victims, gunshot or shrapnel wounds).
Design Approach: Develop a light-weight, wearable, computer-enhanced arm/hand exoskeleton.  Cadets have developed a one finger feasibility model and are currently developing a four finger fixed thumb version to assist with gripping typical household items.