Version 1
: Received: 19 October 2021 / Approved: 21 October 2021 / Online: 21 October 2021 (22:50:25 CEST)
Version 2
: Received: 3 December 2021 / Approved: 7 December 2021 / Online: 7 December 2021 (23:36:05 CET)
How to cite:
LaPier, A. Engineering a Clinical Force Measuring Walker for Patients Recovering from Median Sternotomy. Preprints2021, 2021100316. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202110.0316.v1
LaPier, A. Engineering a Clinical Force Measuring Walker for Patients Recovering from Median Sternotomy. Preprints 2021, 2021100316. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202110.0316.v1
LaPier, A. Engineering a Clinical Force Measuring Walker for Patients Recovering from Median Sternotomy. Preprints2021, 2021100316. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202110.0316.v1
APA Style
LaPier, A. (2021). Engineering a Clinical Force Measuring Walker for Patients Recovering from Median Sternotomy. Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202110.0316.v1
Chicago/Turabian Style
LaPier, A. 2021 "Engineering a Clinical Force Measuring Walker for Patients Recovering from Median Sternotomy" Preprints. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202110.0316.v1
Abstract
Patients often need the use of their arms to assist with functional activities, but after bone disruption, pushing is frequently limited to <10 lb (4.5 kg). No method exists to measure arm weight bearing objectively in clinical settings. This project aimed to design, construct, and test a walker for patients who need to limit arm force to prevent excessive bone stress during post-fracture (iatrogenic or traumatic) ossification. First, a qualitative study was conducted to obtain critiques of a Clinical Force Measuring (CFM) walker prototype from rehabilitation professionals. Key statements and phrases were coded that allowed “themes” to emerge from transcribed interviews, which guided device revisions. Next, a second CFM Walker prototype was designed based on the qualitative data and device criteria/constraints and finally tested. The result was fabrication of a new lightweight, streamlined, and cost-effective prototype walker with a simple visual display and auditory cue with upper limit alarms. Key features included attachments for medical equipment and thin film force-sensing resistors integrated into the walker handles that progressively activated 3 LEDs and a buzzer when force exceeded programmed thresholds. The innovative CFM Walker will help patients with restricted arm froce, especially elderly adults, recover safer and faster in the future.
Keywords
Bone fracture; Median sternotomy; Ossification; Rehabilitation; Functional mobility; Assistive device; Feedback training; Sternal precautions; Instrumented walker
Subject
Public Health and Healthcare, Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
Copyright:
This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
