ECS Researchers Develop Intelligent Crutches
From: University of Southampton (ECS) - 08/05/2009
By: Joyce Lewis

Researchers at the University of Southampton School of Electronics and
Computer Science have developed a forearm crutch that features incorporated
sensor technology capable of monitoring whether the crutch is being used
correctly. Developed by professor Neil White and Dr. Geoff Merrett, along
with Southampton General Hospital physiotherapist Georgina Hallett, the
crutch contains three accelerometers that detect movement and force sensors
that measure the weight being applied to the patient's leg and the position
of the patient's hand on the handle. Data from the crutch is transmitted
wirelessly to a remote computer, where visual information on the crutch is
displayed if the patient is using the crutch incorrectly. "A growing number
of people are in need of physiotherapy, but reports from physiotherapists
indicate that people do not always use crutches in the correct manner," says
White. "Until now, there has been no way to monitor this, even though
repeated incorrect use of the crutch could make the patient's injury worse."
Hallett says the smart crutches will make it easier for patients to be taught
how to use them correctly and how much weight they can put on their injured
leg, which will help them get out of the hospital faster and reduce their
risk of causing additional damage to the already injured leg. The crutch,
which was developed using inexpensive, off-the-shelf technology similar to
that used in the Nintendo Wii game console, is currently suitable for
monitoring and training patients in hospital environments, but the
researchers have plans to develop smart crutches that could be used in
patients' homes. 

Read the entire article at:
http://www.ecs.soton.ac.uk/about/news/2661

Links:
Neil White
http://users.ecs.soton.ac.uk/nmw/
nmw@ecs.soton.ac.uk

Geoff Merrett
http://geoffmerrett.co.uk/
gvm@ecs.soton.ac.uk