Project Type
group
Authors' Class Standing
Janina Helwig, Senior Kristin Sverrisdottir, Senior SJ Jones, Senior Gabriela Espinoza, Senior Josean Ruiz, Senior Arka Das, Graduate Student Abdullah El Altrache, Graduate Student Nathan Sonnenfeld, Graduate Student Gaurav Girish, Graduate Student
Lead Presenter's Name
Janina Helwig
Faculty Mentor Name
Dr. Divo
Abstract
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) account for nearly 70 million physician office visits in the United States. The Institute of Medicine estimates the annual economic cost of WMSDs to between $45 and $54 billion annually. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders affect workers’ health for the duration of their working lives and following retirement. Consequently, our team shall research and develop a bioinstrumentation system consisting of pressure sensors attached to the bottom sole (plantar region) of the feet, and inertial measurement unit sensors at the shoulders, hips, and knees; all of which are connected to an Arduino microcontroller that algorithmically calculates the individual’s deviation from healthy standing posture. The system acts as a corrective behavioral treatment in prevention or therapy for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) relating to posture. Using applied knowledge of engineering fundamentals, human factors design principles, ergonomics, and physiology. This biomedical system shall be demonstrated to be at least minimally viable by the end of the 2015/2016 academic year, with further development to continue throughout the following year to create a commercial product.
Did this research project receive funding support (Spark, SURF, Research Abroad, Student Internal Grants, or Ignite Grants) from the Office of Undergraduate Research?
Yes
Development of a Plantar Pressure Postural Analysis and Biofeedback Suite regarding Work-related Musculoskeletal Disorder Corrective Therapy for Modular Mobile Devices
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) account for nearly 70 million physician office visits in the United States. The Institute of Medicine estimates the annual economic cost of WMSDs to between $45 and $54 billion annually. Work-related musculoskeletal disorders affect workers’ health for the duration of their working lives and following retirement. Consequently, our team shall research and develop a bioinstrumentation system consisting of pressure sensors attached to the bottom sole (plantar region) of the feet, and inertial measurement unit sensors at the shoulders, hips, and knees; all of which are connected to an Arduino microcontroller that algorithmically calculates the individual’s deviation from healthy standing posture. The system acts as a corrective behavioral treatment in prevention or therapy for work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) relating to posture. Using applied knowledge of engineering fundamentals, human factors design principles, ergonomics, and physiology. This biomedical system shall be demonstrated to be at least minimally viable by the end of the 2015/2016 academic year, with further development to continue throughout the following year to create a commercial product.