Interactive Telehealth and Auto-Biofeedback Sensor System for Individuals Who Use a Wheelchair

PROJECT ABSTRACTSUMMARY Inactivity in individuals with chronic disabilities who use a wheelchair results in significant and costly secondary complicationssuch as pressure ulcersobesitydiabetesosteoporosisand cardiovascular comorbiditiesWe propose to develop an interactive telehealth monitoring and biofeedback system to promote physical activity and pressure relief maneuver performance among wheelchair usersIn this project we focus on patients with spinal cord injurySCIwho are at particularly high risk for developing pressure ulcers from sitting too longannual incidencelifetime incidenceHoweverthe proposed technology is broadly applicable to wheelchair based telehealthThe proposed technologywhich attaches to any wheelchair without modificationhas three core componentsan activity monitoring systemi edetection of wheel pushesa pressure relief monitoring systemandreminders and feedback regarding the achievement of pressure relief and physical activity goalsBiofeedback will be delivered locallyto the uservia a smartphone app and remotelyto the clinicianvia a secure internet interfaceThe enabling technologies are innovative sensor systems to monitor wheelchair specific activity patterns but the significant value comes from integrating these novel measurements within a biofeedback system that encourages wheelchair users to actively avoid secondary complications of inactivity and allows care providers to identify at risk patients and intervene efficientlyExisting technologies do not compare with the proposed solutionProducts exist to monitor wheelchair seat pressure but these products are costlycumbersomeand not designed for home useProducts exist to monitor wheelchair specific physical activity but these devices cannot distinguish passive from active wheelchair movementNo existing technology combines these measures with biofeedback and telehealth functionalityThe team we have assembled for this collaborative project includes engineerscliniciansand scientists from BioSensicsa privately held biomedical technology development companyand Rancho Los Amigos National Rehabilitation Centerone of the largest comprehensive rehabilitation centers in the United StatesDuring Phase I of this project we developed and validated a prototype version of wheelchair sensor and smartphone appDowling etalWireless HealthDowling etalAssistive TechnologiesIn PressDuring Phase II we will improve the seat sensor hardware and develop the remote monitoring and telehealth aspects of the proposed system includinga secure HIPAA compliant website so patientscaregiversand clinicians can remotely view activity and pressure relief dataan automated method for pushing alerts to clinicians and caregiversvia SMS or e mailif pressure relief or activity goals are not metanda simple interface so clinicians and caregivers can send telehealth reminders to the wheelchair user s smartphone app