Masters Applied Projects
Masters Applied Projects
Project 24
Project 24
Creation of a Mathematical Model for the Purposes of Treating Motor Diseases using VR
Student: Nicholas Sora
Mentors: Dr. Marco Santello – SBHSE
Dr. Thurman Lockhart – SBHSE
Dr. Simone Toma – SBHSE
YouTube Link: View the video link below before joining the zoom meeting
Zoom link: https://asu.zoom.us/j/85961141605
Time: 10am – 2pm
Abstract
Through the use of 3D VR systems combined with a Cutaneous Haptic feedback machine, this experiment is successfully able to quantify how each individual participant is dependent on their sense of touch (tactile) and sense of limb motion (proprioception). The understanding of the mechanisms explored in this study can help help design future systems that can help rehabilitate motor disorders during object manipulation.
Proprioception impairments are a result of a wide variety of diseases, including Autism, Stroke victims, herniated disks and multiple sclerosis. Cutaneous Haptic Feedback has been proven to be stable within teleoperated (remote controlled) robotic systems. With this technology, we are able to quantify how the sense of motion is integrated with the sense of touch. With this quantification, the design of rehabilitation solutions using sensory substitution are better understood. We performed our experiment by having a participant pick up a virtual object within a virtual space using a haptic device that renders realistic features of the object. We then put in a real object with a force sensor. The participant was asked to lift two objects sequentially and judge their weights. After these two experiments, we calculated a point of subject equivalence (PSE) and a just noticeable difference (JND). We then asked the subject to come back a week later and used these numbers to tell the Cutaneous Haptic feedback machine to make the non-control weight feel like the control weight. Our results found that the machine was successfully able to make the non-control weight feel like the control weight. This tactic of using PSE and JSE on a Cutaneous Haptic feedback machine can be used in future experiments to help rehabilitate motor diseases that affect proprioception.