Cooling System for Multiple Sclerosis Patients

Aspen Systems proposes to develop a small mobile personal cooling system that can be worn conveniently by individuals with heat-related disabilities. The need for such an assistive technology is significant among this group in the United States, having the potential to impact more than one million individuals. A variety of person cooling products are commercially available. They, however, offer only limited assistance and other R&D efforts do not show promise of a complete and viable solution in the near future. Under a Phase I R&D effort, the applicant plans to explore the feasibility and technical achievability of producing an acceptable, effective person cooling product to be worn by individuals with heat sensitive disabilities that offers a convenient, long-lasting and easily-controlled unit. Successful development of this mobile technology potentially could: ¦Support access, promote integration and facilitate the independence of individuals with disabilities in the workplace and educational settings, and during recreational activities. ¦Provide increased freedom and independence not only to individuals with Multiple Sclerosis but also to other disability populations. ¦Have further applicability for workers wearing protective equipment and/or in warm work environments, including workers in commercial and industrial settings, first respondent mission arenas, law enforcement, and the military.