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High School Poster

HS Poster

Poster 89 - Impact of Air Bladder Area on the Performance of a Human Powered Sensory Neuroprosthetic Device

Saturday, October 26, 2024
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM EST
Location: Exhibit Hall E, F & G

Introduction: Diabetes is a chronic disease known to affect seemingly every facet of a diabetic individual's life; however, one of the most prevalent and catastrophic side effects of diabetes is diabetic peripheral neuropathy, also known as DPN. The Center for Disease Control (CDC) estimates that, “approximately 29.1 million or 9.3 percent of the United States’ population have diabetes, and over 30 to 50 percent of diabetic individuals will eventually develop DNP” [1]. DPN is a multifaceted disorder of the nervous system that affects nerves in a modicum of ways; however, its primary target is the lower extremities and feet. In patients with DPN, the nerves in their feet and lower extremities often become damaged beyond repair leading to nerve blindness and drastic issues with gait. DPN side effects can even precipitate into the handicapping of a diabetic individual. The focus of this study is to address challenges with gait through a biomedical therapeutic device. The aim of this device is to redirect the sensations typically associated with walking in order to improve a patient’s overall gait. Furthermore, this study seeks to create a more sustainable and cost effective version of a DPN therapeutic device through the use of air bladder technology. Specifically, this study focuses on decreasing the overall reset time of the output air bladders.

Materials and

Methods: The foundational mechanics and materials utilized in the manufacturing of the air bladders have been further researched and outlined in a previous study [2]. While the materials utilized are identical, the methodology of this study was directed at understanding and reducing the time required to reset output bladders. Three treatment groups were constructed: each consisting of a 2.0 inch (in) active site, proportion of internal glassine, input bladder and varied output bladders: 2.0in, 1.5in, and 1.0in respectively (see figure 1). An Instron 5967 [3] machine and mt loadpad [4] device were then utilized to measure the output force per area (maxSteady), rise time (riset), and fall time (fallt) of each treatment group. Furthermore, force readings were recorded in Newtons and converted to kilopascals (kPa) based on bladder size, and timing metrics (riset and fallt) were determined in seconds as the time to 95% of the maxSteady. In each treatment group, the input (2.0in) bladder was exposed to the force of the Instron machine (50, 100, 150, 250, 450 N), and the output bladder was held against the loadpad and a plastic cylinder, simulating a human leg, by a custom pocketed wrap (see figure 2). Three step simulations with four replications were completed for each output bladder size. The load app data was then analyzed using a custom MATLAB code, and a One-way ANOVA test was conducted in JMP [5] to determine the effects of output bladder size on maxSteady, riset, and fallt with an alpha value of 0.01s.

Results, Conclusions, and Discussions: There were no significant differences in maxSteady between output bladder sizes (p = ): 1.0in-1.5in (p=0.2442), 1.0in-2.0in (p=0.6586), and 1.5in-2.0in (p=0.7007) (see figure 3). However, the riset was significantly different (p = ): 1.0in-1.5in (p=0.0032), 1.0in-2.0in (p=0.0038), and 1.5in-2.0in (p=0.9951). Similarly, the fallt also differed between output bladder sizes (p = ): 1.0in-1.5in (p= < 0.0001), 1.0in-2.0in(p= < 0.0001), and 1.5in-2.0in (p=0.9905) (see figure 4). Because there was no statistical difference in maxSteady, the results of the riset and fallt ANOVA tests are determined the most pertinent in deciding on the optimum output bladder. As the 1.0in treatment group was found to shorten riset and fallt, the data supports a claim for the 1.0in output bladder as the ideal size for reset time (see figure 5). Further studies should seek to increase the study’s breadth of data; as more data could better assess the full statistical nature of the treatment groups in relation to one another. Furthermore, future research should aspire to conduct clinical trials on both healthy and DPN individuals.

Acknowledgements (Optional): [3] Illinois Tool Works Inc, Norwood, MA, USA
[4] novel electronics inc., Pittsburgh, PA, USA
[5] SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA

References (Optional): [1] Effectiveness of Treatments for Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy. Content last reviewed April 2020. Effective Health Care Program, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD. https://effectivehealthcare.ahrq.gov/products/diabetic-neuropathy/research-protocol
[2] Campos, B., Schoeppner, M., Arena, S., Trader, W., Arena, C. Development of a Self-Powered Sensory Neuroprosthesis with Pneumatic Actuators. Proceedings of the 2024 Design of Medical Device Conference. 2024 Design of Medical Devices Conference. Minneapolis, MN, USA. April 8-10, 2024. in press ASME