Principal Investigators: Wendy M. Murray, PhD and P. Hunter Peckham, PhD Project Staff: Kevin L. Kilgore, PhD Project Category: Spinal Cord Injury - 2001 Objective: The primary objective of this research is to establish quantitative measures of hand impairment that predict the ability to perform a simple task. A second objective of this research is to establish a strong collaboration between the VA Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) Center of Excellence and the VA Palo Alto Health Care System (PAHCS) Center of Excellence on Mobility. This project provides a mechanism for the two VA Centers to develop comparable tools and techniques for quantifying hand and upper extremity function after spinal cord injury. In addition, this work will lead to continual collaboration on quantitative evaluation and computer simulation of the tetraplegic upper extremity. As proposed, the first six months of the project have focused on the hardware and software development required to transfer a custom device (the free force sensor) designed at the VA PAHCS Center to the Cleveland VA FES Center, to quantify pinch force magnitude and orientation over a range of grasp openings in neuroprosthesis users. All of the necessary hardware to create a second free force sensor was purchased, constructed, and assembled during FY2001. The software development was completed as well. Funding Source: VA RR&D Merit Review Funding Status: Funded |
