ROLES OF REHABILITATION ENGINEERS & HOW REHABILITATION ENGINEERING IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR INDIVIDUALS?

 ROLES OF REHABILITATION ENGINEERS 

                

They may suggest commercially available equipment to solve the problem of the disabled.

Example :

Rehabilitation engineers assisting workers in wheelchairs can choose commercially available components to set up an ergonomic workstation with height-adjustable desks and desks, as well as computer monitors and keyboards that are repositioned as workplaces. A rehabilitation engineer working in a rehabilitation centre may recommend electronic assistive devices used in daily life to activate the appliances and lights in her kitchen.

They adjust and personalize technology and create unique solutions to meet the needs of people with disabilities.

Example:

A rehabilitation engineer working in the school system has a pre-schooler with limited leg movement and can modify an electric toy car so that it can be driven by manual control instead of pedals. Another rehabilitation engineer working in a resource center could make wheelchair camera mounts for amateur photographers who use wheelchairs.

They can develop new technologies and new products to solve the problems faced by the disabled.

 Example:

Rehabilitation engineers invented a voice activation system to operate mobile phones and PDAs. Rehabilitation engineers also invented a wheelchair-mounted power supply system that draws power from the wheelchair’s battery to provide backup power for the ventilator.

They can test whether equipment and products comply with consumer safety and compliance with state, federal and international regulations.

Example:

Perform stress, performance and failure analysis tests for rehabilitation engineers working in independent test labs to determine the structural integrity of the wheelchair. They can also use crash test dummies to analyze the safety of wheelchair fastening systems in vehicles.

Rehabilitation engineers complement the work of other professionals, such as physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech pathologists. They use a unique engineering perspective to solve problems and provide technical assistance for technical systems and solutions that are generally beyond the reach of physicians.

HOW REHABILITATION ENGINEERING  IMPROVES THE QUALITY OF LIFE FOR INDIVIDUALS?

1.REHABILITATION ROBOTICS

Rehabilitation robots can provide personalized, task-oriented, long-term, intensive, standardized, and repeatable training for stroke or other non-progressive brain injury patients. The application and utility of robotic orthotics is a rapidly developing field with many promising but unproven parallel research directions. Due to the potential and rapid expansion of this treatment category, it is necessary to introduce some basic knowledge. There are many designs of robotic or electric upper limb orthoses. Most of them are sensing exoskeletons, whose motion is consistent with human joints, and provides natural arm motion. These single-joint or multi-joint movements can be completely driven by the robot, controlled by electromyography (EMG) signals or a hybrid control system. The complexity and analytical capabilities of robot-assisted therapy enable neurorehabilitation specialists to use general clinical measurements of motion range, spasticity, and pain as clinical endpoints, turning to coordinated measurements of multiple joints in patients. Functional performance of the upper limbs.

2.VIRTUAL  REHABILITATION

For patients suffering from various diseases, such as musculoskeletal problems, stroke paralysis, and cognitive deficits, virtual reality can be used as an enhancement to traditional therapies. This method is called “augmented rehabilitation.” Or, virtual reality can completely replace traditional interventions, in which case rehabilitation is “virtual reality-based.” If the intervention is carried out remotely, it is called “tele rehabilitation”. Simulation exercises have been developed for stroke patients using the “teacher’s object” method or the video game method. Simulation of musculoskeletal patients using virtual replicas of rehabilitation equipment (such as rubber balls, electric putties, nail boards). A virtual environment is provided that induces phobias to patients with cognitive impairment. Enhanced rehabilitation has been shown to be effective for stroke patients in the chronic stage of the disease. Rehabilitation treatment based on virtual reality has improved patients with fear of flying, Vietnam syndrome, fear of heights and chronic stroke.

3.PHYSICAL PROSTHETICS

Physical prosthetics, such as smart prosthetics with electric ankles, exoskeletons, right-handed upper extremities, and hands. This is an area where researchers continue to advance design and functionality to better mimic natural limb movement and user intent.

Physical prosthetics are designed to restore normal function to missing parts of the body. The rehabilitation of amputees is mainly coordinated by physical therapists, as part of an interdisciplinary team composed of physical therapists, prosthetists, nurses, physical therapists, and occupational therapists.  Prosthetics can be created manually or using computer-aided design (CAD), which is a software interface that helps creators use computer-generated 2D and 3D graphics and analysis and optimization tools to design and analyze. 

4.SENSORY PROSTHETICS

Sensory prosthetics, such as the retina and cochlear implants, to restore some lost functions, provide navigation and communication, increase independence, and integrate into the community.

5.BRAIN COMPUTER INTERFACES

The brain-computer interface allows people with severe disabilities to communicate and obtain information. These technologies use electrical impulses from the brain to enable people to move the cursor of a computer or robotic arm so that they can touch and grab objects or send text messages.

The brain-machine interface (BMI) is a system that records, decodes, and finally converts brain signals into effector actions or behaviours, which do not necessarily involve the movement system. In the past 20 years, more and more BMI systems have been developed for communication, control and rehabilitation of different types of equipment.

6.MODULATION OF ORGAN FUNCTION

As an intervention for urinary incontinence and fecal incontinence and sexual dysfunction. Recent advances in neuromodulation of the peripheral nervous system are expected to address organ function in the event of a spinal cord injury.