News Archive
Scientists develop devices to help severely disabled
SCIENTISTS from the University of Ulster and the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur have teamed up to investigate how to develop intelligent robotic devices that could help people with severe disabilities achieve greater independence.
The project involves researchers from Ulster's Intelligent Systems Research Centre on its Magee campus in Londonderry, and scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology.
The three-year project is jointly funded by the Indian and UK Governments under the prestigious UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI). UKIERI grant-aids collaborative projects between higher educational institutions in the UK and India.
Dr Girijesh Prasad, a senior lecturer in the School of Computing and Intelligent Systems, who leads the project team, said: 'Thousands of people suffering from neuro-muscular disabilities such as motor neurone disease (MND) and spinal cord injury (SCI), may be completely paralysed.
"While these people have all their senses intact to see, feel and dream, they may have no means of communicating with the external world at all. In order to provide greater independence to such people, the project aims to investigate intelligent systems that facilitate development of a low-cost assistive robotic device.'
The main project objectives are to investigate:
· a brain-computer interface (BCI) that allows a disabled person to control a smart wheelchair and robotic manipulator combination by thinking;
· a visual tracking system for operating the wheelchair as an automated guided vehicle (AGV) to provide mobility;
· the development of a robotic arm for the natural execution of actions desired by the disabled user.
This project involves the recruitment of three new postgraduate research students to assist in the joint programme of research. It also includes intensive research exchanges between the two institutions by Ulster and IIT Kanpur researchers, and senior research students. This innovative project is expected to expedite improvements in the lives of persons with movement disability due to old age, disease or injury.
Professor Martin McGinnity, director of the Intelligent Systems Research Centre, said: 'We are delighted to have been successful in gaining this award. There is intense competition for UKIERI research funds and our success is thus all the more pleasing. The project itself addresses important technical and medical issues and we are looking forward to a fruitful collaboration with one of the most prestigious research institutions in India."
The three-year £145,000 project is jointly funded by the Indian and UK Governments under the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI).
UKIERI grant-aids collaborative projects between higher educational institutions in the UK and India.
SCIENTISTS from the University of Ulster and the Indian Institute of Technology in Kanpur have teamed up to investigate how to develop intelligent robotic devices that could help people with severe disabilities achieve greater independence.
The project involves researchers from Ulster's Intelligent Systems Research Centre on its Magee campus in Londonderry, and scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology.
The three-year project is jointly funded by the Indian and UK Governments under the prestigious UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI). UKIERI grant-aids collaborative projects between higher educational institutions in the UK and India.
Dr Girijesh Prasad, a senior lecturer in the School of Computing and Intelligent Systems, who leads the project team, said: 'Thousands of people suffering from neuro-muscular disabilities such as motor neurone disease (MND) and spinal cord injury (SCI), may be completely paralysed.
"While these people have all their senses intact to see, feel and dream, they may have no means of communicating with the external world at all. In order to provide greater independence to such people, the project aims to investigate intelligent systems that facilitate development of a low-cost assistive robotic device.'
The main project objectives are to investigate:
· a brain-computer interface (BCI) that allows a disabled person to control a smart wheelchair and robotic manipulator combination by thinking;
· a visual tracking system for operating the wheelchair as an automated guided vehicle (AGV) to provide mobility;
· the development of a robotic arm for the natural execution of actions desired by the disabled user.
This project involves the recruitment of three new postgraduate research students to assist in the joint programme of research. It also includes intensive research exchanges between the two institutions by Ulster and IIT Kanpur researchers, and senior research students. This innovative project is expected to expedite improvements in the lives of persons with movement disability due to old age, disease or injury.
Professor Martin McGinnity, director of the Intelligent Systems Research Centre, said: 'We are delighted to have been successful in gaining this award. There is intense competition for UKIERI research funds and our success is thus all the more pleasing. The project itself addresses important technical and medical issues and we are looking forward to a fruitful collaboration with one of the most prestigious research institutions in India."
The three-year £145,000 project is jointly funded by the Indian and UK Governments under the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI).
UKIERI grant-aids collaborative projects between higher educational institutions in the UK and India.
Device result of project
NEW software developed at the University of Salford which allows clinicians to rapidly set up nerve stimulation systems to assist stroke patients with grasping and releasing objects is just one of the outcomes of a £23m research project to develop medical devices and associated technologies.
The Healthy Aims consortium had its final meeting at the university on December 4 and 5 where representatives of the 26 partners discussed how to commercialise the medical devices and technologies they have developed.
The Salford software works in conjunction with a functional electrical stimulation device that provides small electrical pulses to the nerves to replace the natural nerve signals that may be missing after a stroke. By using information from movement sensors to identify when to apply stimulation to activate the muscles that control hand opening, it allows users to pick up and release objects.
Another device based on software developed and evaluated by the University is able to monitor how much activity, and which activities, people undertake in their everyday lives. The new device has the potential to be of benefit to people being treated for obesity as their doctors can use the data in their diagnosis and treatments.
Devices are due to be commercialised by a number of industry partners in the Healthy Aims consortium including Odstock Medical, Finetech Medical and European Technology for Business Ltd.
Other devices developed by the partners in the consortium include an instrumented contact lens to monitor the effects of glaucoma over extended periods, a retinal implant for artificial vision and a device to monitor pressure in the brain cavity.
Dr Laurence Kenney and professor David Howard of the University's Centre for Rehabilitation and Human Performance Research led the research team at Salford.
Laurence said: "Both of the systems we've been working on have the potential to make a significant difference to many people's quality of life and also to be successful in an industry worth £4bn a year to the UK economy."
NEW software developed at the University of Salford which allows clinicians to rapidly set up nerve stimulation systems to assist stroke patients with grasping and releasing objects is just one of the outcomes of a £23m research project to develop medical devices and associated technologies.
The Healthy Aims consortium had its final meeting at the university on December 4 and 5 where representatives of the 26 partners discussed how to commercialise the medical devices and technologies they have developed.
The Salford software works in conjunction with a functional electrical stimulation device that provides small electrical pulses to the nerves to replace the natural nerve signals that may be missing after a stroke. By using information from movement sensors to identify when to apply stimulation to activate the muscles that control hand opening, it allows users to pick up and release objects.
Another device based on software developed and evaluated by the University is able to monitor how much activity, and which activities, people undertake in their everyday lives. The new device has the potential to be of benefit to people being treated for obesity as their doctors can use the data in their diagnosis and treatments.
Devices are due to be commercialised by a number of industry partners in the Healthy Aims consortium including Odstock Medical, Finetech Medical and European Technology for Business Ltd.
Other devices developed by the partners in the consortium include an instrumented contact lens to monitor the effects of glaucoma over extended periods, a retinal implant for artificial vision and a device to monitor pressure in the brain cavity.
Dr Laurence Kenney and professor David Howard of the University's Centre for Rehabilitation and Human Performance Research led the research team at Salford.
Laurence said: "Both of the systems we've been working on have the potential to make a significant difference to many people's quality of life and also to be successful in an industry worth £4bn a year to the UK economy."
Society name Lorraine Physio of the Year
LORRAINE Clapham, a chartered physiotherapist from Winchester, has received the physio of the year award from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).
Lorraine, 55, works in the Wessex Neurological Centre at Southampton General hospital and was described by a colleague as an inspirational physiotherapist, highly respected in her profession.
Her colleague Louise Baker, who nominated her for the award, said: 'Lorraine encompasses everything that a physiotherapist in the current NHS should be. Even after thirty years she is continuously striving for new ways to improve patient care.'
The Physio of the Year awards, held by the CSP for the first time this year, are designed to celebrate the achievement of chartered physiotherapists who are delivering excellent services to patients, pushing the boundaries of practice, or engaging in research to the benefit of the profession. The awards were presented at a lunch at the New Connaught Rooms in London.
LORRAINE Clapham, a chartered physiotherapist from Winchester, has received the physio of the year award from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP).
Lorraine, 55, works in the Wessex Neurological Centre at Southampton General hospital and was described by a colleague as an inspirational physiotherapist, highly respected in her profession.
Her colleague Louise Baker, who nominated her for the award, said: 'Lorraine encompasses everything that a physiotherapist in the current NHS should be. Even after thirty years she is continuously striving for new ways to improve patient care.'
The Physio of the Year awards, held by the CSP for the first time this year, are designed to celebrate the achievement of chartered physiotherapists who are delivering excellent services to patients, pushing the boundaries of practice, or engaging in research to the benefit of the profession. The awards were presented at a lunch at the New Connaught Rooms in London.
NASA technology used for circulation problems
TECHNOLOGY developed by NASA for astronauts is being used in a treatment to help people suffering from circulation problems in their legs.
The equipment was originally designed to help people maintain the blood supply to their lower limbs during the periods of weightlessness in space.
'It is estimated that approximately 90 per cent of the UK's population will be affected by lower limb circulatory problems at some point in their lives which means that in the Bicester area literally thousands of people could benefit from this treatment,' said Les Lindsay, biochemist and managing director of the Future Wellbeing clinic.
'Vacumed', which is a non-invasive and pain-free therapy, is designed to both treat and prevent the development of circulatory deterioration. The equipment, which costs £30,000, has been brought to the UK for the first time, having been successfully used in 46 countries worldwide.
'People, primarily women, between the ages of 35 and 50 might experience cold feet, night cramps, leg and buttock pain while walking, spider veins and general pain and swelling in the legs. This is often an indication of a developing circulation problem which, if untreated, can significantly worsen potentially requiring surgery down the line,' added Les.
The team at the clinic is now looking to build up UK case studies to demonstrate the enormous value of this treatment to a wide range of people.
The Future Wellbeing clinic is offering free treatment to around 70 individuals who will become 'case studies' to show just how effective it is. A course of 10-20 sessions would normally cost £450.
Anyone interested in the upcoming trial should contact 01869 252238 to request an information pack. There will be no charge but potential clients will need to complete a short questionnaire that they should return in order to be assessed for treatment.
TECHNOLOGY developed by NASA for astronauts is being used in a treatment to help people suffering from circulation problems in their legs.
The equipment was originally designed to help people maintain the blood supply to their lower limbs during the periods of weightlessness in space.
'It is estimated that approximately 90 per cent of the UK's population will be affected by lower limb circulatory problems at some point in their lives which means that in the Bicester area literally thousands of people could benefit from this treatment,' said Les Lindsay, biochemist and managing director of the Future Wellbeing clinic.
'Vacumed', which is a non-invasive and pain-free therapy, is designed to both treat and prevent the development of circulatory deterioration. The equipment, which costs £30,000, has been brought to the UK for the first time, having been successfully used in 46 countries worldwide.
'People, primarily women, between the ages of 35 and 50 might experience cold feet, night cramps, leg and buttock pain while walking, spider veins and general pain and swelling in the legs. This is often an indication of a developing circulation problem which, if untreated, can significantly worsen potentially requiring surgery down the line,' added Les.
The team at the clinic is now looking to build up UK case studies to demonstrate the enormous value of this treatment to a wide range of people.
The Future Wellbeing clinic is offering free treatment to around 70 individuals who will become 'case studies' to show just how effective it is. A course of 10-20 sessions would normally cost £450.
Anyone interested in the upcoming trial should contact 01869 252238 to request an information pack. There will be no charge but potential clients will need to complete a short questionnaire that they should return in order to be assessed for treatment.
