 Mechanical Arm Brace: Loss of Neuronal Function Jake Herman

Paralysis  What is it?  How do you get it?

Paralysis  Definition: Paralysis is a loss of function of one or more muscles  Can be accompanied by a loss of feeling  Can be sensory and/or motor  Happens when something goes wrong with the messages between the brain and muscles  The electrical signal becomes impeded  Can be isolated, or widespread throughout the body

Paralysis con’t  Lower half of the body: Paraplegia  Of arms and legs: Quadriplegia  Can be caused by:  Strokes  Spinal cord injuries  Nerve diseases  Automobile accidents  Sports injuries

What causes arm paralysis?

Arm Paralysis  Erbs palsy  Post stroke or heart attack  Tumor  Multiple Sclerosis  Demyelinating disease

Regaining Control: General  Rehabilitation, depending on the extent of paralysis  Surgery – neuronal fusion and growth assist devices  Newer technology: Brain-Computer Interface   Uses a combination of Deep Brain Stimulation, Brain-Neural electrodes, and a variety of coding programs  Allows a patient with severe paralysis to operate a prosthesis by using his/her neuronal activity

Regaining Control: Arm  Rehabilitation and Surgery are most common options  Used in conjunction with a mechanical arm brace  Provides support while allowing mobility to the patient with the assistance of a motor  Many different options based on the severity of paralysis

Ideation  What is it?  How do you do it?  Why should you care?

Ideation  First building block to creating a device  Helps to formulate a goal  Creates an outline of construction

Ideation con’t 1. Define objectives / goal 2. Generate ideas 1. Feasibility; does it meet the objective? 3. Create a construction plan 4. Assign tasks

Prototyping  What is it?  How do you do it?

Prototyping  To create a model of a product or device to simulate its usefulness and practicality  Requires many prototypes until a final product is reached

Prototyping con’t  Use your ideation plan to construct the prototype based on the assigned roles

Materials  Plastic Splints  Duct Tape  Rope  Hot Glue  String  Medical Gauze  Foam  Motor

Building A Brace  Must support and stabilize the entire arm at a 90 angle  All pieces must connect  A motor must be attached to the forearm to allow for wrist movement The brace will be built on one person in your group Bonus points will be awarded for removability Take ~5 min to ideate and make a sketch before beginning your prototype