ANALYSIS SYSTEM FOR FINE MOTOR CONTROL

DESCRIPTION (Adapted from applicant's abstract): The goal is to build an automated, low-cost, general purpose system for quantifying fine movement control in children, the elderly, and patients with neurological diseases to be used as a research tool by neurologists, physical therapists, developmental psychologists, ergonomists, kinesiologists, and human resource specialists. The system consists of data collection and analysis software and makes use of a commercial display-digitizer and PCS. The work to be accomplished in Phase I consists of creating the prototype fine motor control software of the subject or patient, the analysis modules (e.g., spectral analysis, segmentation, feature extraction), and display modules. The software system will be tested in a few categories of subjects and patients, thereby building a small database of subject data. The advantage of using handwriting movements rather than arm movements, gait, speech, or eye movements is that most individuals have a well-trained repertoire of handwriting patterns that can be recorded easily. There is no comparable system on the market. $ = TOTAL AWARD AMTS & NOT LIMITED TO PORTION OF PROJECT RELATED TO SUBJECT OF SEARCH SUBPROJECT $ = TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT DIVIDED BY NUMBER OF SUBPROJECTS SOURCE: CRISP FORMAT F FY 97 LAST UPDATE 04-07-98 1QUERY 1536 ID SEARCH 06/01/98 PAGE 523 --PROJECT NUMBER......1 R43 RR11759-01 INVESTIGATOR NAME/ADDRESS FY 97 BRITZ, WILLIAM E, JR IRG/INTRAMURAL UNIT..ZRG7 BRITZ-HEIDBRINK, INC AWARD AMOUNT......... $99,206 1851 OAK STREET WHEATLAND, WY 82201-1179 PERFORMING ORGANIZATION: BRITZ-HEIDBRINK, INC. TITLE DEVELOPMENT OF COMPOSITE MESH PANELS FOR ANIMAL CAGES ABSTRACT: DESCRIPTION (Adapted from applicant's abstract): Laboratory animal husbandry and management equipment has been fabricated from traditional basic materials, such as stainless steel or aluminum, for many decades. These materials have been the materials of choice because of an assumed proven record of performance. However, the industry currently recognizes the impact of the traditional housing environment on the research animal, the overall effect on research results and the appropriateness of ergonomic features of the cage to current laboratory animal care staff. Our objective is to produce and test materials that will replace metal materials for laboratory animal cages and equipment. Specifically, this research will seek to incorporate high strength, lightweight, composite grid panels into the panels of new cage design concepts. Additionally fastening devices and methods to attach the composite parts to the structure will be developed and tested against laboratory animal care standards. This application reflects a multi- categorical project, addressing the needs of many projects, institutes and laboratory animal care and use programs. It is in response to a specific solicitation from NCRR/Comparative Medicine. However, the company has current contract support (over $400,000) and requests for these products and prototypes from institutes such as NIADA, NCI, VRP, H & L, VA, etc. $ = TOTAL AWARD AMTS & NOT LIMITED TO PORTION OF PROJECT RELATED TO SUBJECT OF SEARCH SUBPROJECT $ = TOTAL AWARD AMOUNT DIVIDED BY NUMBER OF SUBPROJECTS SOURCE: CRISP FORMAT F FY 97 LAST UPDATE 04-07-98 1QUERY 1536 ID SEARCH 06/01/98 PAGE 524 --PROJECT NUMBER......1 R43 RR12066-01 INVESTIGATOR NAME/ADDRESS FY 97 BOWERS, WILLIAM F IRG/INTRAMURAL UNIT..ZRG3 ORBITAL BIOSCIENCES, LLC AWARD AMOUNT......... $99,997 4 WINSOR LANE TOPSFIELD, MA 01983 PERFORMING ORGANIZATION: ORBITAL BIOSCIENCES, LLC TITLE HIGH PERFORMANCE REUSABLE CENTRIFUGAL MICROCONCENTRATOR ABSTRACT: The overall goal of this project is to verify the performance advantages of a new dome-swaging ultrafiltration membrane sealing design which has been invented to permit development of a reusable microcentrifugal concentrator system. The system design features have been disclosed in a U.S. Patent Application and optimization results with machine prototypes indicate very competitive filtration rates. Demonstration of overall feasibility for ultimate use in the life science research lab will require construction of R&D molds to produce parts to exact tolerances on key dimensions with mirror-smooth seal surfaces. Creep testing will confirm part stability under high stresses required to reversibly seal membranes without gaskets at accelerations up to 12,000 rcf and beyond. Seal reliability and concentration rate will be tested by measuring permeation of highly-retained proteins, compared to o-ring-sealed reference devices using the same membrane and to commercial disposables of comparable cutoff rating. Performance of a novel skimming deadstop trough with improved sanitary features will be qualified by retentate recovery and carryover. Disposable membranes precut with cutoff-rating-embossed handles will be qualified for ergonomics. Overall system performance and acceptable convenience will be evaluated by independent scientists at several beta sites.