Tarana Gupta
Listen to Your Wrist
Wearable wrist-movement-health sensing device for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
https://taranagupta.squarespace.com/index/#/listen-to-your-wrist/
Classes
Biomechanics for Interactive Design,Data Representation,The Nature of Code Studio
Biomechanics for Interactive Design,Data Representation,The Nature of Code Studio
Low-cost, easily configurable conversational precautionary device that make the discussion of disability easier, less judgmental which measures wrist health that utilizes vibrotactile feedback to convey information about wrist (movement) health to the body.
Background
Awkward upper extremity postures and repetitive wrist motions have been identified by some studies as risk factors for upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders during keyboard work.
Wrist motions are rapid and are similar in magnitude to wrist motions of industrial workers performing jobs having a high risk for developing cumulative trauma disorders.
The bureau of Labour Statics has estimated that 1997, there were 29,200 cases of CTS that required time of from work*.
Depending on the wrist strength and computer usage a person can get carpal tunnel even within 3 months.
(American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery Bulletin, April 2000, p.5)
(The Anatomy and Mechanics of the Human Hand by CRAIG L TAYLOR, Ph.D. AND ROBERT J. SCHWARZ, M.D )
Generally accepted treatments include: steroids either orally or injected locally, splinting, and surgical release of the transverse carpal ligament. There is no or insufficient evidence for ultrasound, yoga, lasers, B6, and exercise therapy.
Clinical Practice Guideline on the Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. September 2008.
Piazzini, DB; Aprile, I; Ferrara, PE; Bertolini, C; Tonali, P; Maggi, L; Rabini, A; Piantelli, S; Padua, L (2007 Apr). “A systematic review of conservative treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.”.Clinical rehabilitation 21 (4): 299–314. PMID 17613571.
http://udini.proquest.com/view/design-development-and-validation-pqid:2299974251/
Audience
Musicians, Illustrators, Graphic designers, Developers.. Any body whose work requires repetitive/heavy wrist usage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enhYptL94Hw
User Scenario
Developer who gets so engrossed in his work that he forgets to take a break and over a period of time he ends up with wrist pain/injury of any kind.
This device reminds him to take a break or work/type in neutral position (plus minus 10 degrees of freedom).
Implementation
A glove… with an inertial measurement unit, four uni-flex sensors and two vibration motors mounted to provide feedback based on the position and repetitive action of the user’s hand in 2-dimensional space.
Flex sensors detects the degree of flexion-extension/radial and ulnar deviation . Arduino uno communicates with a computer wirelessly via Bluetooth with Processing and data is being saved into . csv format. Which is getting visualized in processing. You can see both live data & stored data (hourly, weekly , monthly) which is calibrated to music which tells your wrist health.
Conclusion
Hardware required to make this device was pretty simple. Nonetheless, the device like this is very much required in the market. A lot of people (including myself recently) suffer from repetitive wrist injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome. I think with a device like this, these injuries can be easily prevented if not cured.
Background
Awkward upper extremity postures and repetitive wrist motions have been identified by some studies as risk factors for upper extremity musculoskeletal disorders during keyboard work.
Wrist motions are rapid and are similar in magnitude to wrist motions of industrial workers performing jobs having a high risk for developing cumulative trauma disorders.
The bureau of Labour Statics has estimated that 1997, there were 29,200 cases of CTS that required time of from work*.
Depending on the wrist strength and computer usage a person can get carpal tunnel even within 3 months.
(American Academy of Orthopedic Surgery Bulletin, April 2000, p.5)
(The Anatomy and Mechanics of the Human Hand by CRAIG L TAYLOR, Ph.D. AND ROBERT J. SCHWARZ, M.D )
Generally accepted treatments include: steroids either orally or injected locally, splinting, and surgical release of the transverse carpal ligament. There is no or insufficient evidence for ultrasound, yoga, lasers, B6, and exercise therapy.
Clinical Practice Guideline on the Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. September 2008.
Piazzini, DB; Aprile, I; Ferrara, PE; Bertolini, C; Tonali, P; Maggi, L; Rabini, A; Piantelli, S; Padua, L (2007 Apr). “A systematic review of conservative treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.”.Clinical rehabilitation 21 (4): 299–314. PMID 17613571.
http://udini.proquest.com/view/design-development-and-validation-pqid:2299974251/
Audience
Musicians, Illustrators, Graphic designers, Developers.. Any body whose work requires repetitive/heavy wrist usage.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enhYptL94Hw
User Scenario
Developer who gets so engrossed in his work that he forgets to take a break and over a period of time he ends up with wrist pain/injury of any kind.
This device reminds him to take a break or work/type in neutral position (plus minus 10 degrees of freedom).
Implementation
A glove… with an inertial measurement unit, four uni-flex sensors and two vibration motors mounted to provide feedback based on the position and repetitive action of the user’s hand in 2-dimensional space.
Flex sensors detects the degree of flexion-extension/radial and ulnar deviation . Arduino uno communicates with a computer wirelessly via Bluetooth with Processing and data is being saved into . csv format. Which is getting visualized in processing. You can see both live data & stored data (hourly, weekly , monthly) which is calibrated to music which tells your wrist health.
Conclusion
Hardware required to make this device was pretty simple. Nonetheless, the device like this is very much required in the market. A lot of people (including myself recently) suffer from repetitive wrist injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome. I think with a device like this, these injuries can be easily prevented if not cured.