1. 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

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

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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

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

8. 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

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

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

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

12. 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

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

14. “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

15. 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

16. 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

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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

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

22. References
Mi, Takami, Kim, and Werbeckes. “Computer Input Device for Individual with Muscular Dystrophy.”
Pictures:

23. Questions?