Team 9

Biometrics for Rehabilitation Software Tool for Burn Patients with Restricted Hand Mobility

Team Members: Anna Avila, Randy Etornam Esskipe, Shirley Lowmaster, Carlos Mendez-Arias
& Catalina Pardo

Team Mentors: Sydney Schaefer, PhD - SBHSE
Sara Belko, MS - Thomas Jefferson University (First Year Medical Student)

YouTube Link: View the video link below before joining the zoom meeting

Zoom Link: https://asu.zoom.us/j/89356093676

Abstract

In the United States, approximately 1.1 million burn injuries necessitate medical attention per year. A significant portion of that population, an estimated 486,000 patients, need treatment in the form of physical rehabilitation. As a team, we acknowledge the variety of determining factors that dictate the classification of a patient’s burn, but have chosen to focus on 2nd and 3rd degree burns. Symptoms of Second degree burns include, but are not limited to: Blistering, Redness on the affected area and Pain when there is contact to the skin. Whereas Third degree burns can result in the: Discoloration of the skin towards a blacker/browner color, Swelling and a lack of pain due to nerve damage. Though the difference in classification is distinct, both these types of burns commonly result in a loss of range of motion (ROM) at the affected joints which serves as a hindrance to patients’ everyday tasks of living (whether that involve home or workplace activities). Whilst placing our focus on restoring hand mobility in burn patients, we have observed that the existing method of treatment consists of wearable devices in conjunction with heavy PT specialist guidance. We believe that the potential discomfort, and ultimate dissatisfaction, brought upon a patient in this scenario can be greatly combated. The purpose of our product is to provide the patient with a navigable software suite (that works in parallel with an existing motion tracking technology) that eliminates the need for a wearable device and allows for a visualization of their movements along with the pertinent biometric data (ROM, rate of motion, etc.). The main goal of our device is to provide enhanced rehabilitation experiences through heightened comfort and deliver a sense of progress and satisfaction for the patient as an individual.