SmartHub: A Manual Wheelchair Data Acquisition and Analysis Tool for Patients and Clinicians
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Date
2024-05
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Publisher
The Ohio State University
Abstract
As a consequence of using a manual wheelchair, many individuals experience some form of upper extremity injury, which can be a result of sub-optimal biomechanical technique when interacting with and controlling the wheelchair. By tracking key metrics associated with the propulsion of the wheelchair such as stroke frequency, push force, stroke length, and net velocity, users and clinicians can identify and correct underlying issues with the wheelchair’s usage. A product called the SmartWheel was designed to collect this data, but due to its high cost, availability only in a clinical setting, and outdated software, an improved product called the SmartHub was developed by previous Ohio State capstone students and researchers. Due to functional limitations with these previous devices, a redesign was initiated and completed. This new model interfaces an inertial measurement unit with a small microcontroller with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) capability to live stream accelerometer and gyroscope data to a host computer running a graphical user interface for visualization. One unit is affixed to the hub of each wheel which provides more robust data and easier calibration. The benefits provided by this new model include a more intuitive user interface, live data processing and visualization, and an independence from external Wi-Fi adapter cards for data transfer. These benefits are expected to result in a more polished and accessible product, with the goal of clinician adoption and utilization.
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Keywords
wheelchair, analysis, mobility, rehabilitation