W. Pruehsner

Automatic page turner

The Automatic Page Turner turns the pages of bound books, magazines, or three-ring bound class notes in either forward or reverse mode. This electromechanical system enables a person, who can only communicate to the outside world via a wheelchair mounted head switch, to read any material without assistance. A microcontroller system is operated either by hand switches mounted on the device or by remote computer connection.

Vocal, motorized, and environmentally controlled chair

The Vocal, Motorized, and Environmentally Controlled Chair (VMECC) is a standard wheelchair that has been converted into a motorized wheelchair. A eye tracking control system is incorporated to allow hands free control of the chair.

The assistive robotic arm

Presented in this design is an assistive robotic arm. The assistive robotic arm contains the following subunits: a base, upper arm, lower arm, wrist, and gripping device. The arm is controlled by a microcontroller. The base houses one motor and the microcontroller. Other features of this device include detachable grippers and utensils along with an external keypad from which the client controls the device. When the device is fully extended, the clients new radius of extension is twenty-five inches. The following design, contained in this report, is a senior design project from the University of Connecticut sponsored by the National Science Foundation. The design assists a young, fifth grade boy with quadriplegic, athetoid cerebral palsy to function more independently in his integrated classroom setting. The goal of this design is to provide a child with only gross motor skills a way to eat autonomously and also provide a grip mechanism that would resemble the human hand. The device also closely resembles the movements of the human arm by providing a full range of motion about the x, y, and z axes and throughout the three primary planes of motion.

Child Mobility Car

Child Mobility Car is a small, motorized vehicle that allows a six-year-old girl with cerebral palsy to move about within small areas. Child Mobility Car is a small vehicle about 2 ft. long and 1 ft. wide allowing her to interact far more freely with other children without a cumbersome electric wheelchair. A radio is attached to the car providing a small measure of entertainment for the child as well.

Remote Environmental Controller [aid for disabled persons]

The Remote Environmental Controller is a wireless remote control device that will control household lighting using simple on/off commands. The Remote Environmental Controller is very helpful for people with limited or no motor abilities by enabling them to control the environment without moving about the house.

High frequency ultrasound tissue characterization

Ultrasound tissue characterization has generally been carried out in the 1-5 MHz frequency range. In the present research, we looked into methodologies to extend tissue characterization to the 10-50 MHz domain. Preliminary experiments were carried out using transducers constructed from PVDF. Initial results suggested that frequencies from 8-20 MHz could readily be detected through tissue samples in a 3.5 cm test cell. Spectrum analysis of averaged and digitized transmitted bursts revealed differences in the transmission spectra for different tissue samples placed in the test cell.

Digital hearing aid

The digital hearing aid is designed to be a low-cost, digital replacement for a standard analog hearing aid.

Multi Remote appliance controller

The Multi Remote is a project that is made to ease the life of the user by taking away some of the daily tasks that burden them. The Multi Remote is a system that automates the blinds of a window and a coffee maker though voice activation and infrared via remote control.

LED directed, headswitch controlled, motorized wheelchair

The LED Directed Motorized Chair (LDMC) is a manual wheelchair that is converted into a motorized wheelchair. The design of the wheelchair implements a control system different from the typical joystick control system on the market today. The control system is based on an LED display that works in tandem with a head switch. 5 LEDs are used representing 5 available directions that the chair travels. When the LED corresponding to the desired direction of travel that the user wishes to go, the user compresses the head switch and the chair performs the action.

Remote door lock controller [for disabled persons]

The remote door lock controller remotely unlocks a door mechanism using a wireless remote controller. Such a device is very helpful for people with limited motor abilities since it is nearly impossible for them to perform certain simple physical tasks, such as locking or unlocking a door. Tasks which most of us take for granted can prove to be extremely difficult if not impossible for those with physical disabilities. The device is made up of two major parts: the wireless remote controller, and its receiver which also the controls the door lock mechanism. In operation, the user locks or unlocks a door, by pressing the appropriate button on the remote controller. Also, the door can be locked and unlocked, as one normally locks a door by using its key. A signal scrambler on the receiver/door lock controller is employed making unauthorized access next to impossible.