Elevator Controller for Individual with Multiple Sclerosis

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Elevator Controller for Individual with Multiple
Sclerosis

• Team Members Alison Boumeester Sara Karle
  Michele Lorenz Ashley Matsick Peter Strohm

Client Dr. John Fleming Department of
Neurology UW-Medical School Advisor Professor
John Webster Department of Biomedical
Engineering UW-Madison
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Overview

• Motivation Background
• Problem Statement
• Prototype
• Project Goals
• Control Options
• Future Work

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Motivation Background

• Patient fully independent inside apartment
  (automation)
• Mobility impaired by inability to use elevators

• Movement limited to head and neck
• Existing controls mounted on horizontal bar
• Space available
• Bar less than 12 inches from users chest

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Problem Statement

• Integrate current mechanical prototype into
  users environment
• implement adaptive controls
• mount controls and prototype on wheelchair
• avoid interfering with normal mobility/function

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Prototype Spring 2006

• Mechanical device includes
• Solenoid six-bar mechanism for in/out pushing
  force (A)
• Linear actuator for up/down movement (B)
• Protective case with actuator guide (C)

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Project Goals Fall 2006

• Choose adaptive controls based on users
  preferences
• Develop circuitry for actuator (latch mode)
• Build mounting arm for actuator
• Mount and power entire system
• Build weatherproof cover

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Control Array Options

• Membrane/pad switches
• Pros Low cost simple circuitry
• Cons Limited application (momentary contact)
• Trade-off size ease of contact
• Tongue(1) or eyebrow(2) switch
• Pros Dual mode
• Cons Comfort high cost mounting

(1)
(2)
enablingdevices.com
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Control Array Options

• Sip/Puff Switch
• Pros Dual mode fits user preferences ease of
  use
• Cons High cost size of components
• Ultimate Switch
• Simple operation and mounting low cost

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Future Work Mounting

• Current wheelchair setup requires
• Mounting device on level part of chair
• Location between thigh feet
• No interference with chair function
• Width of device wheelchair
• Movement of rotating leg rests

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Future Work Weatherproofing
Power

• Develop strong removable cover
• Device components exposed fragile
• Weather
• Physical damage to device/surroundings
• Allow for maintenance
• Integrate components (switches and prototype)
  with chair
• Two existing 12 V batteries

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• Questions