Safety Concerns
There are two areas that require safety concerns: the Biomechanical Device and the limitations of the SMA Patients. In regards to the biomedcanical device, the placement of the circuitry will be manipulated in a way that the patient will not come in contact with wires or potential harm. Using an outlet leads to an increased risk for the patient. Electrocution of this type will be prevented by electrical insulation of the device. Electrical components will be encased and electrically insulated from the metal frame. Components of the metal frame that come in direct contact with the test subject will also be coated with an electrical insulator. Direct contact with the metal frame and direct contact of electrical components with the metal frame will both be minimized. A grounding system will also be implemented into the circuit design to reduce the risk of currents coming in contact with the test subject. An emergency shut off will be required in order to assure the patient is in full control of their arm movement. This mechanism will be accomplished by placing a button in the patient's left hand that will be able to shut off the device positioned on their right arm. Protection against malfunction of the device will be carried out with stopper switches. These stopper switches will go off when the device moves into a position that exceeds the range of motion of the test subject (Not necessarily that of the device). The material in contact with the patient should be comfortable as well hypoallergenic. The patient should be able to wear the arm device for at least an hour without problems. The bands will not tug on the arm and should be agreeable with the user.
The device will be sturdy and durarable enough to put on and take off numerous times. SMA patients have a limited range of motion. We do not want them to overexert themselves by having their arm bend too far. There will be a safety mechanisms employed to stop the arm from bending too far. The range of motion can be adjusted and programmed into the device’s circuitry such that movement of the elbow jointed is limited to a comfortable range for the test subject. Stopper switches that will signal the microcontroller to override all other signal inputs to the device will go off when this range of motion is exceeded due to malfunction of the device or other reasons. While ignoring all other input signals, the device will go back to a state that is comfortable to the patient. These actions will be programmed into the microcontroller. The second main safety concern stems from the limitations of the SMA patient. SMA patients have brittle appendages due to lack of muscles and decreased bone mass. We do not want the patients to overexert themselves and risk injury. Caregivers and parents will be trained in the mechanisms, limitations and potential dangers of the device. All of these safety concerns will be taken into account while designing our prototype and device.
Power to the device can also be shut off manually by simply disconnecting the device from its power source. If the test subject begins to feel any discomfort, the device will be disconnected from its power source and the patient will be removed from the device and examined for injuries. If great discomfort is induced with the device the test subject is encouraged to not continue to operate the device for the remainder of that testing session. This is to reduce the risk of damage to joints, ligaments, etc… that may not become apparent until a period of time after testing of the device.
In the unlikely event that a minor injury occurs, the TCNJ Health Center, will be contacted for medical advice: Student Health Services at TCNJ is located in Eickhoff Hall in Room 107 (Phone: 609-771-2483, Fax: 609-637-5131, Email: [email protected]). Minor injuries include bruising from the device.
In the extremely unlikely event that a serious injury occurs, emergency services will be requested by dialing 911. This type of injury is unlikely and may be due to malfunctioning of the device in an unforeseen manner. Due to the stopper, the grounding system, the electrical insulation, and a power shut off switch, injury due to the device is not likely to occur.
The device will be sturdy and durarable enough to put on and take off numerous times. SMA patients have a limited range of motion. We do not want them to overexert themselves by having their arm bend too far. There will be a safety mechanisms employed to stop the arm from bending too far. The range of motion can be adjusted and programmed into the device’s circuitry such that movement of the elbow jointed is limited to a comfortable range for the test subject. Stopper switches that will signal the microcontroller to override all other signal inputs to the device will go off when this range of motion is exceeded due to malfunction of the device or other reasons. While ignoring all other input signals, the device will go back to a state that is comfortable to the patient. These actions will be programmed into the microcontroller. The second main safety concern stems from the limitations of the SMA patient. SMA patients have brittle appendages due to lack of muscles and decreased bone mass. We do not want the patients to overexert themselves and risk injury. Caregivers and parents will be trained in the mechanisms, limitations and potential dangers of the device. All of these safety concerns will be taken into account while designing our prototype and device.
Power to the device can also be shut off manually by simply disconnecting the device from its power source. If the test subject begins to feel any discomfort, the device will be disconnected from its power source and the patient will be removed from the device and examined for injuries. If great discomfort is induced with the device the test subject is encouraged to not continue to operate the device for the remainder of that testing session. This is to reduce the risk of damage to joints, ligaments, etc… that may not become apparent until a period of time after testing of the device.
In the unlikely event that a minor injury occurs, the TCNJ Health Center, will be contacted for medical advice: Student Health Services at TCNJ is located in Eickhoff Hall in Room 107 (Phone: 609-771-2483, Fax: 609-637-5131, Email: [email protected]). Minor injuries include bruising from the device.
In the extremely unlikely event that a serious injury occurs, emergency services will be requested by dialing 911. This type of injury is unlikely and may be due to malfunctioning of the device in an unforeseen manner. Due to the stopper, the grounding system, the electrical insulation, and a power shut off switch, injury due to the device is not likely to occur.