Computer Input Device Clients: Richard Kunz Mary Sesto, Ph.D Advisor: John Webster, Ph.D Team Members: Steve Welch – Team Leader Andrew Bertram – Communicator Joe Decker – BSAC Matt Parlato - BWIG

Outline Background Problem Statement Current and Previous Design PDS Summary Design Alternatives Arm Support Pointer Clicker Future Work Questions

Background Muscular Dystrophy Weakens muscles Progressive loss of muscle tissue Condition slowly worsens with time No cure

Client Our client, Richard, has muscular dystrophy Limited motion Cannot get out of bed Slight movement in hands and head Uses his computer Connects him to the outside world Spends majority of his time on his computer

Problem Statement Computer input device that is easy to use and set up Cannot use a traditional keyboard or mouse Current design time consuming to set up Takes about half an hour to get Richard settled Constant adjustments needed Bumping table Components slipping

Current Design Regular mouse with large trackball Eraser end of pencil to move trackball around Clicks with other hand Foam attached to mouse buttons Arms propped up with stacked towels

Previous Design Separate components Joystick with extended arm Mouse to click PVC Pipe with soft foam arm support

PDS Summary Comfortable for Richard Easy to set up Soft material Easy to set up Separate components More efficient than current design Reliable $200 Budget

Scissors Lift Latticework support system Pros: Cons: Adjustable height Complicated to build Lacks ability to pivot Many pieces

Dual Adjustment Adjusts up and down on both sides Pros: Cons: Very adjustable Simple design Cons: May tip easily Extra pipe unnecessary

Adjustable Ramp Similar to dual pipe but lacks pipe on one side Pros: Easy to build Few parts Adequate adjustment Cons: May tip easily

Design Matrix: Arm Support Ease of Use (30) Durability (20) Safety (20) Ease of Assembly (20) Cost (10) Total Ramp 30 15 20 5 85 Scissors Lift 10 55 Dual Adjustment 25 75

Graphics Tablet Pros: Cons: Ease of setup Similar to client’s current setup Cons: Cost Initial setup might be quite complicated Dell.com Source: www.dell.com 13

“Computer Input Device for Individual with Muscular Dystrophy” Joystick This was the prototype developed by last semester’s team Pros: Requires very little wrist and arm movement Inexpensive Cons: Different from client’s current setup Difficult to position client’s arms and device correctly Picture from last semester’s website “Computer Input Device for Individual with Muscular Dystrophy” 14

Reverse Optical Mouse Upside down optical mouse with moveable pad Pros: Inexpensive High sensitivity Cons: Set up required I am assuming we will use a modified optical mouse. This slide might need to be changed. 15

Design Matrix: Pointer Ease of Use (30) Durability (20) Safety (20) Ease of Assembly (20) Cost (10) Total Tablet 5 20 65 Joystick 10 15 70 Reverse Optical Mouse 30 85

Speech Recognition Software that uses spoken prompts for clicking Pros: Simple to set up and to use Cost effective Cons: Extensive programming Sensitivity Source: www.provu.co.uk

Finger Guide Outfitting an existing mouse with guides so client’s fingers don’t slip off the buttons Pros: Eliminates slippage from the keys Cuts down on set up time Cons: Potentially harmful to client Possible interference with existing setup

Squeeze Stick Rewiring a mouse so the buttons can be squeezed rather than pressed Pros: Makes best use of the clients range of motion Can be integrated into other designs Cons: Difficult to design Potentially expensive

Design Matrix: Clicker Ease of Use (30) Durability (20) Safety (20) Ease of Assembly (20) Cost (10) Total Voice 15 20 10 70 Squeeze Pen 30 5 90 Finger Guide 25 75

Future Work More testing with client Finalize clicking device design Build prototypes Test prototypes

References Mi, Takami, Kim, and Werbeckes. “Computer Input Device for Individual with Muscular Dystrophy.” Pictures: www.dell.com www.provu.co.uk

Questions?