Center for Assistive Technology and Environmental Access
490 Tenth St, NW, Atlanta, GA 30332-0156
Phone:404-894-4960, Fax:404-894-9320
Research Interests
The Rehabilitation Engineering Group undertakes applied research and device development targeting the increased heath and function of persons with disabilities. Specific areas of interest include: wheeled mobility and seating, pressure ulcer prevention and treatment; design of diagnostic tissue interrogation devices; design of assistive technology.
Personnel
- Director: Stephen Sprigle, PhD, PT
- Research Faculty: Jayme Caspall, MSME; Linghua Kong, PhD; Tobias Meyer, MS BME
- Graduate Student: Bummo Chung (BIOE); Anita Gajjala (ECE), Sharon Sonenblum (BIOE), Chao Wang (ECE)
- Undergraduate Students: Charity Peres, Phillip Tharp, Shurabh Pandey
- Collaborators:
- Michael Gray, PhD, GA Tech
- Maysam Ghovanloo, PhD, GA Tech
- Tai Wang, PhD, Georgia State University ; Shepherd Center
- Helen Hoenig, MD and Kevin Caves, Duke University Medical Center
Current Research Projects
- Monitoring the use of wheelchairs in everyday life
- Effect of tissue loading on blood flow
- Design of anatomical phantoms capable of measuring stress and strain in prosthetic and wheelchair environments
- Development and validation of performance standards for wheelchair cushions
- Development of a real-time multispectral imaging device for detection of incipient pressure ulcers
- Development of a tissue interrogation device
- Development of a noncontact wound measurement device
- Development of a dynamic, off-loading wheelchair cushion
- Development of a durable, inexpensive wheelchair cushion
Research Opportunities
We welcome students, clinicians and researchers interested in Rehabilitation Engineering. Participation can extend for one semester or can span a few years, depending on the circumstances. Physical and occupational therapy students needing a research rotation or project can be assigned duties to fulfill requirements. Post-doctoral Fellows can participate in grant development in addition to research activities. Graduate students and research scholars from other institutions/countries are also welcome. Dr. Sprigle hold appointments in Applied Physiology, Industrial Design and Bioengineering at Georgia Tech. International researchers may qualify for travel support via the Center for International Rehabilitation Research Information and Exchange (http://cirrie.buffalo.edu/).Undergraduate students at Georgia Tech can apply for President’s Undergraduate Research Awards for funding (http://www.undergradresearch.gatech.edu/)
Funding
- Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center on Wheeled Mobility ( http://www.mobilityRERC.gatech.edu, http://www.mobilityRERC.gatech.edu); National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research, 2008-2013
- Development of a Wound Measurement Device, IP2Biz, 2008-2009
Recent Publications
- Sonenblum, SE; Sprigle, S; Maurer, C. Use of Power Tilt Systems in Everyday Life. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, (accepted and in press).
- Wang T, Bernard R, Cope C, Chang L, Limroongreungrat W, and Sprigle S, "Fundamental Locomotive Activity Time Efficiency with Differently Positioning Drive-Axis Wheelchairs Among Elderly," Medicine & Science in Sport & Exercise 40, s447 (2008).
- Kong L, Caspall J, Duckworth M, Sprigle S. Assessment of an ultrasonic dermal scanner for skin thickness measurements; Medical Engineering & Physics; Medical Engineering & Physics , 30(6):804 – 807, July 2008.
- Harris F, Sprigle S. Outcomes measurement of a wheelchair intervention; Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 3(2):1-10, May 2008.
- Kong L, Sprigle S, Duckworth M, Yi D, Caspall J, Wang J, Zhao F. Handheld erythema and bruise detector, Proceedings of SPIE -- Volume 6915, Medical Imaging 2008: Computer-Aided Diagnosis, Maryellen L. Giger, Nico Karssemeijer, Editors, 69153K (Mar. 17, 2008).
- Duckworth M, Caspall J, Mappus R, Kong L, Yi, D, Sprigle S. Bruise chromophore concentrations over time. Proceedings of SPIE -- Volume 6915, Medical Imaging 2008: Computer-Aided Diagnosis, Maryellen L. Giger, Nico Karssemeijer, Editors, 69152S (Mar. 17, 2008).
- Sonenblum SE, Sprigle S, Harris FH, Maurer CL. Characterization of power wheelchair use in the home and community. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 2008;89:486-91.