Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Brooke Odle, Engineering
Document Type
Poster
Event Date
4-12-2024
Abstract
This study investigated the mitigation of lower back pain of nurses through the measurement of trunk flexion during patient handling tasks and the application of haptic feedback when a safe limit was exceeded. This was done using a system comprising: a microcontroller; a battery and cable to connect it thereto; buttons for trial control soldered thereto; an inertial measurement unit and cable to connect it thereto; a microSD card for in situ data collection inserted thereto; and a coin motor for haptic feedback soldered thereto. After informed consent was given, the system was attached to the lower back of a participant (88.2 kg, 1.86 m, 27 yr) using double sided tape. Using an adjustable table and a 30 kg manikin the participant was made to perform: "Leg Raise"; "Prep to Move"; "Side Roll"; and "Sit Up." There were three repetitions per trial, two trials per task, and three table heights – low (24.5 in), medium (28 in), and high (34.5 in) – per task. Additionally, the participant performed “Wheelchair Raise”, which involved a wheelchair rather than the table. During the experiment, the haptic system measured trunk flexion, recorded data, and applied haptic feedback when 42% of the max trunk flexion of the participant, measured prior to patient handling tasks, was reached. OpenCap was used to validate the data collected by the haptic system. The haptic system recorded data and, as expected, applied more haptic feedback during low table tasks then high table ones. However, OpenCap validation was inconsistent, with some comparisons of data collection between the two systems lining up well, and others not. In the future, more participants are expected, and the system, OpenCap validation, and data collection protocols will be refined to better measure trunk flexion and apply haptic feedback.
Recommended Citation
Repository citation: Ceja, Nathan, "Inertial Measurement Unit Based Haptic System" (2024). 23rd Annual A. Paul and Carol C. Schaap Celebration of Undergraduate Research and Creative Activity (2024). Paper 16.
https://digitalcommons.hope.edu/curca_23/16
April 12, 2024. Copyright © 2024 Hope College, Holland, Michigan.
Comments
This material is based upon work supported by Hope College Engineering Department and the Bair Talent Development Fund.
Title on poster differs from abstract booklet. Poster title: Inertial Measurement Unit-Based Haptic System to Provide Feedback on Posture during Patient-Handling Tasks