Rehabilitation Technologies and Biomedical Engineering PGR’s
Mick Prince: Trans-Radial socket coupling: problems and solutions.
This thesis contributes to the literature on the assessment of socket fit in upper-limb prosthetics, including a method to characterise socket-limb coupling. It also proposes potential solutions to problems associated with poor socket fit, including a design of an electrode housing for use with myoelectric-controlled prosthetic devices.
Nicolaas Pickard: The design, evaluation and application of methods for measuring upper limb prosthetic socket coupling.
The PhD builds directly on the PhD of Mick Prince. The study further develops methods for assessing upper limb socket-limb coupling, and will explore the impact of socket adjustability on socket function and comfort.
Lesley Davidson: Access to prosthesis repairs/maintenance and impacts on activity, psychological wellbeing and embodiment.
Levels of dissatisfaction and outright rejection of upper limb prostheses remain stubbornly high, despite decades of R&D effort. The role that access to prosthesis repairs and maintenance guidance/advice may play in user (dis)satisfaction/rejection is being explored, using a number of different approaches.
Martha Mulerwa: Development of a design specification for a passive adjustable wrist prosthesis suitable for persons with upper limb absence in low-and-middle income settings.
The vast majority of prosthetic designs come from labs or companies based in high resource settings. This PhD examines the requirements for a passive adjustable prosthetic wrist, for persons with upper limb absence in lower and middle income settings.
Mike Baldock: Evaluating the functional properties of patient adjustable lower-limb prostheses : developing a novel residuum-socket interface model.
Using developed motion capture and finite element methods, adjustable socket designs will be evaluated across coupling, comfort, and user stability to explore the influence key interface properties have on performance.
Matt Wassall: K-level classification through real-world activity assessment of lower limb amputees.
Develop a sensor-based system to classify real-world activities that will help clinicians objectively prescribe lower limb prosthetic components to patients
Helen Locke: The role and design of objects and environments in the lives of upper-limb prosthesis users.
The proposed research aims to employ a range of observational and qualitative methods to assess how prosthesis users interact with real-world environments and objects. The information gained will be used to facilitate participatory design activities focussed on the design of objects and environments.
Paddy Townsend: Novel affordable light-weight underactuated biomimetic multi-DOF prosthetic hands.
A consistently reported concern raised by users is the weight of powered prostheses. In this PhD theoretical and experimental approaches will be applied to better understand the mechanism requirements. Novel solutions for multi-DOF prosthetic hands which can be operated with the minimum number of actuators will be developed.
Jasmine Sarwar: Development of a flexible adaptive FES controller for upper limb rehabilitation after stroke.
High intensity, functional electrical stimulation (FES)-supported practice of functional tasks may enhance the motor recovery trajectory, following a stroke. An FES controller is being developed which will adapt the stimulation profile over time to account for fatigue and other disturbances .