1. Semi-Active Wearable Tremor Mitigation Device
Peter Marcote1, Sarah Sibert1, James Wagner2, Ramy Kila2, Nicholas Lamb3
1Dept of Biomedical Engineering RIT, Rochester, NY
2Dept of Mechanical Engineering RIT, Rochester, NY 3Dept of Electrical Engineering RIT, Rochester, NY
RIT Multi-Disciplinary Sr. Design
Prototypes
Alpha
Beta
Clinical Implications
Introduction
Non-Drug based technique to mitigate tremors
Higher level of independence for patients suffering from essential tremor
Increased confidence in daily activities / higher quality of life for patients suffering from essential tremor
Non-permanent solution (does not always have to be worn.
Roughly 7 million Americans suffer from some form of Essential Tremor
An Essential Tremor is an involuntary rhythmic shaking in an appendage of a patient
Tremors most commonly manifest in the arms and hands
The goal of this project is to research the current state of wearable tremor mitigation technologies and identify gaps in treatment options. The expected end result is a wearable tremor mitigation technology that decreases the intensity of the tremors and increases the patient’s dexterity and confidence in the daily life.
Positives:
Good power control to magnets
Brake system resists hand motion
Sufficient Battery Life
Good test platform for software
Negatives:
Ribbing deforms
Ribbing uncomfortable
Brake too long
Brake Housing movement on fabric during braking
Breaks only stopping 1 Degree of movement.
Changes from Alpha:
4 Breaks instead of 2
Brake size decreased
Curved brakes
Wrist piece changed from full cuff to 2 piece wristlet
Mosfets covered
Base changed from one layer high density cloth to a two layer Kevlar cloth
Ribbing staggered and inlayed
Positives:
Actively resists tremor in two degrees of freedom
Increased Comfort
Mosfets covered to prevent abrasion
Negatives:
Exposed wiring
Magnets get warm after extended use
Increased weight from additional brakes
Results
Proved novel method of tremor mitigation is effective.
Learned the value of an iterative building process.
Learned how to follow an idea from its conception to building and testing.
Methods (Process)
Brainstorm, idea narrowing, idea selection
Alpha design, Alpha Build, Alpha Test
Beta design, Beta Build, Beta Test
Potential Improvements
Testing prototype on human subjects
Inlay wiring
Source each part from cheaper suppliers to decrease price
Meet with Industrial Engineer(s) to increase the device’s aesthetic appeal
Acknowledgements
Edward C. Hanzlik, KGCOE, RIT
Dr. Daniel Phillips, KGCOE, RIT
Dr. Elizabeth DeBartolo, KGCOE, RIT