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.v2
LaPier, A. Engineering a Clinical Force Measuring Walker for Patients Recovering from Median Sternotomy. Preprints 2021, 2021100316. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202110.0316.v2
LaPier, A. Engineering a Clinical Force Measuring Walker for Patients Recovering from Median Sternotomy. Preprints2021, 2021100316. https://doi.org/10.20944/preprints202110.0316.v2
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.v2
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.v2
Abstract
Patients often need the use of their arms to assist with functional activities, but after bone disruption, pushing is frequently limited to less than 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 arm force exceeded programmed thresholds. The innovative CFM Walker will help patients with restricted arm weight bearing, especially elderly adults, recover safer and faster in the future.
Keywords
cardiac surgery; bone fracture; median sternotomy; rehabilitation; ossicication; functional mobility; assistanve device; feedback
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.
