Ed Gillman

Cerebral Palsy (CP) is a common congenital disorder that damages the brain and inhibits motor movement and control. Aside from physical therapy, there are not any remedies for the lack of muscle coordination. Because CP already reduces muscle tone, it is important for assistive devices to improve motor movement without eliminating muscle use entirely. Our client, Abbie, is a 5-year-old kindergarten student who, as a result of CP, struggles with the fine motor movement required to use her iPad for communication. Our project’s goal is to provide Abbie with the fundamental support and control needed to operate an iPad more effectively. The final design, called the iDEA, is essentially a supportive, spring loaded tracking system that keeps her hand in the optimal operating position while supporting her wrist to prevent hand dragging. It allows her to use her natural tapping motion, but with enhanced control and guided dexterity.

A platform, with four springs, is mounted onto the carriage running inside the long rail. These springs allow the user to push their wrist downward, and thereby closer to the work surface, with slight resistance. It still allows the user to make natural tapping motions, but in a more controlled manner. Additionally, the springs allow the entire platform to bend in every direction and thus improve comfort.

Another platform is positioned at the top of the springs. Made from low-friction delrin, it acts as a bushing for the shaft fed through its center. The shaft is threaded on one end so that it can screw into tapped holes. Using Inventables Hand Moldable Plastic, a plastic wrist support was customized to the user’s specific dimensions. The plastic can be melted and reformed as necessary. A threaded insert was then heat-set into the plastic and allows the shaft to screw into the wrist support simply and securely. Once screwed onto the shaft, the entire wrist support can rotate 360 degrees. The assembled iDEA permits controlled, stable user movement in every direction.