2003 Milestones:
Successful Tech Transfer of the Natural Fit Handrim: The natural fit handrim is an ergonomically contoured alternative to the standard circular section handrim fitted to most wheelchairs. The NFH matches the natural grasp of the hand allowing a more neutral posture and eases propulsion. The device is being marketed throughout North America, and is being provided to Veterans at preferred pricing.
We worked with the National Technology Transfer Center (NTTC) to transfer our invention, entitled “Variable Compliance Joystick with Compensation Algorithms: U.S. patent 0066072-17 pending”. This device helps to effectively improve control over electric powered wheelchairs, and expands the population of people who can independently drive and electric powered wheelchair.
We published a landmark study on how to determine accessible sidewalk surfaces that is being used as a basis for the Americans with Disabilities Access Guidelines: Best Paper Award (2003): Cooper RA, Wolf EJ, Fitzgerald SG, Dobson A, Ammer WA, Smith DR, Interaction of Wheelchairs and Segmental Pavement Surfaces, PAVE Africa 7th International Conference on Concrete Block Paving, Cape Town, South Africa.
We had the first quantitative study on the comparison of suspension manual wheelchairs accepted for publication: Kwarciak AM, Cooper RA, Ammer WA, Fitzgerald SG, Boninger ML, Cooper R, Fatigue Testing of Selected Suspension Manual Wheelchairs Using ANSI/RESNA Standards, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, in press, 2004.
We published an important study on the Independence 3000 IBOTTM Clinical Study used as part of the FDA submission: Cooper RA, Boninger ML, Cooper R, Dobson AR, Schmeler M, Kessler J, Fitzgerald SG, Technical Perspectives: Use of the Independence 3000 IBOT Transporter at Home and in the Community, Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine, Vol. 26, No. 1, pp. 79-85, 2003.
We completed a critical portion of our longitudinal study on upper extremity pain and repetitive strain injury by publishing one of the largest series of MRI's related to RSI and spinal cord injury: Boninger ML, Dicianno BE, Cooper RA, Towers JD, Koontz AM, Souza AL, Shoulder Magnetic Resonance Imaging Abnormalities, Wheelchair Propulsion, and Gender, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 84, No. 11, pp. 1615-1620, November 2003.
We published a study showing that there is a high rate of neck and back pain among veterans who use wheelchairs, and indications are that shock and vibration may contribute: Boninger ML, Dicianno BE, Cooper RA, Towers JD, Koontz AM, Souza AL, Shoulder Magnetic Resonance Imaging Abnormalities, Wheelchair Propulsion, and Gender, Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Vol. 84, No. 11, pp. 1615-1620, November 2003.
We led the effort of ISO 7176 “Requirements and Test Methods for Handrim Activated Power Assist Wheelchair” to become a Draft International Standard (DIS).
We successfully recruited Diane Collins as a VA investigator within our Center. She is the former recipient of a VA Pre-Doctoral Fellowship. Dr. Collins has received a VA Disability Supplement. Dr. Collins is and occupational therapist, and an expert on outcomes measures for assistive technology. She has many years of clinical rehabilitation service delivery experience.
This was a stellar year for Pre-Doctoral Training. Three of our graduate students, Sandra Hubbard, OTR/L, MS, Michael J. Dvorznak, M.S., and Andrew Rentschler, M.S. received VA fellowships based on work from our Center. We also had a student, Jon Pearlman, M.S., receive a prestigious NSF Fellowship. The year was crowned off by receiving an award with Carnegie Mellon University from NSF for an Innovative Graduate Education and Research Training (IGERT) grant for five years.