Week 1 worked to consolidate a solid base for the building that is this project. To begin with, I attended a great Rehabilitation Robotics Workshop, and learned about the research that is going on at ASU’s School of Biological and Health sciences. There were amazing presentations and posters. One that was really interesting was a gait-support walking exoskeleton for stroke patients who were at risk of muscle atrophy in their legs. Essentially, gait-training is physical therapy for people with prosthetic legs, where they learn how to use them, and how to properly support themselves with their new prosthetic. I also began going through the history of prosthetics and looked through some other papers. I wanted to learn more about prosthetics and so I decided to start reading about the history of prosthetics in general.
For my project, I hoped to analyze the forces involved with the simple action of grasping something, and then compare the data from a real hand to the prosthetic to see how well the prosthetic replicated this action. I realized that I could not only do this with a real prosthetic hand, but that I could also use a simulation software called MuJoCo Haptix. I realized that all of the tests that I wanted to do were centered around the prosthetic device at the lab, and that I could shadow one of the primary projects involving that device and incorporate that data into my project. So at the end of the day, I realized that I could use the simulation and the data from the other project to develop my conclusive outlook towards Prosthetic design. Yeah, a lot of realization, and yet I haven’t obtained nirvana.
For this simulation, I needed to find a way to get the software to record the data. Cue MATLAB!
Thanks to Mr. Peacher and Linear Algebra, I knew a little, but I needed to cement my MATLAB knowledge and learn more. I basically binge-watched MATLAB tutorials, learned about using the Haptix software and read through previous research that utilized the Haptix software. Although this process brought back memories of me studying for the Euro AP, it ultimately helped. I still have a long ways to go, and this studying will probably go into next week, but in the long run, this is going to help when I am analyzing the data that I collect.
Other than that, highlights of my week include Melissa Mccarthy's amazing skit as Sean Spicer on SNL, and the Iron Fist trailer, that was cool.
That’s A Wrap! Thank you!
Hey Sri! Awesome first post! This sounds super interesting (especially since I just took anatomy last year, and am fascinated with the mechanics of the human body), and I can't wait until you actually begin your research and start getting results! I've got two questions for you: first, what exactly is MuJoCo Haptix software (Sorry! I had linear algebra with you, but am not that great with understanding computer-related stuff haha)? Second, in terms of your final product for the SP, are you considering creating an improved prosthetic hand model? Can't wait to read more!
ReplyDeleteHi Saleena! Yeah, so MuJoCo Haptix is the software that simulates the objects and allows me to vary the the weights of the objects in the simulation. Then, using a computer and a couple sensors, I then lift the object and manipulate it in the MuJoCo software. Since this is going to be the main way I collect data, I need it to communicate and record the data onto an excel sheet, so I will be using MATLAB for that. I want to try to make my own prosthetic hand model, but it is really time consuming, so if I can get all of the data I need and I can analyze it, with time left over, I will make one. Thank you!
DeleteHi Sri! That workshop sounds so interesting; did you find out about it through your on-site mentor? In addition, are you going to research any gait-training for your project? Or just looking into it in the history of prosthetics? I can't wait to see how these simulations go. Best of luck!
ReplyDeleteHi Julia! Yeah, I found out about it from my on-site mentor, his lab and the rest of the labs had organized it together. Unfortunately, I am not going to be researching into gait-training, but on my own, I am going to be reading through and looking into the history of prosthetics, and some of the physical therapy that is conducted to help patients get used to their new prosthetic. Thank you!
DeleteHi, Sri! Sorry for commenting so late, but your project so far sounds so cool, especially with the workshop! With your looking into the history of prosthetics, what were you hoping to find out that you could include in your research of the prosthetic hand? I can't wait to read more on your blog!
ReplyDeleteHi Korina! Yeah, so with the history of prosthetics, I want to kind of see how far the field and industry has come in terms of replicating the functions of the original. Basically, I want to try to look at this aspect not only with the prosthetic hand, but with the prosthetic leg as well, to see the changes over time and see the innovation that occurred. Thank you!
DeleteHi Sri! This first post was super entertaining. The sarcasm made the reading much more enjoyable. You decided to focus on the grasping capabilities of prosthetic hands. Are there any other movements that you considered studying? And why did you pick the grasping movement? I'm really excited for the next post :)
ReplyDeleteHi Sydney! Yeah, for the movements, I specifically want to study the grasping movement because it is one of the main motor functions of our hands. In terms of prosthetics, the grasping movement is really intriguing for me because if, at the base level, a normal prosthetic that does not communicate with the nervous system can properly replicate the forces when grasping something; then the aspect of thermal feedback and tactile feedback, all come into the picture with a prosthetic that communicates with the nervous system. I hope that makes sense. Thank you!
DeleteHi Sri!
ReplyDeleteGreat post! It's so great that you attended the Rehabilitation Robotics Workshop and that you decided to look more into the history of prosthetics. Did attending this workshop change the way you thought about your project? Also, can you explain how the simulation software works? I look forward to your next post!
Hi Michelle!
DeleteYeah, my project kind of changed with the workshop, because I saw what other people were researching in terms of therapy and other solutions that involved prosthetics, so I decided I can also go through sort of the history of prosthetics and see the different innovations and advancements in the field. With the simulation, It would use sensors, and an attached rectangle-type thing, which then I would be looking at the screen and lifting this rectangle thing, and the software would be changing the weight of the rectangle thing and record the forces I exert and the coordinates of my hand, as I lift it. It is kind of like this: http://www.mujoco.org/book/file/timing.mp4 ,but if the thing the person holds were attached to a couple more cables. Thank you!
Sri,
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool! I'm glad that your first week has gone well. Sounds like you have done a lot of research and are starting on the execution phase. I cannot wait to see how your MATLAB works out! I am looking forward to your upcoming posts and your further research!
Audrey
Hi Sri. Its good to hear that you're off to a good start on your research. I hope that you will be able to get your simulations to work, and that you'll be able to work more with the prosthetic devices. Can't wait to hear your next blog.
ReplyDeleteSri,
ReplyDeleteThe workshop sounds like it was very interesting and fun. It seems like your research is going well and you are gaining lots of insight into this subject. I look forward to reading more about your research.
Bianca
Sri,
ReplyDeleteWhat benefits will the study of prosthetics provide to your research? Also, will you use the software and the prosthetic together or will you use them interchangeably? Good luck!
Hi Anthony! So for the study, I want to look through the history of Prosthetics, just as something small on the side, to sort of see what kinds of innovation has been made and like what function was focused on when the prosthetic was developed. For the software, I would be using the simulation with a prosthetic and then the actual prosthetic would be the project that I would be shadowing, so both would be used together. Thank you!
DeleteThis sounds like an interesting topic. What do you expect after this research? Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHi Kayan! Yeah so I hope to reach a conclusion after analyzing how far a modern day prosthetic device is able to replicate the motor function of grasping an object. I want to see how the prosthetic is designed and how it is able to replicate this function. Thank you!
DeleteHi, sounds like your first week was full of realizations! I'm curious to know if there are other methods besides gait training for people with prosthetics? Did you by any chance take pictures at the workshop? It sounded really interesting. And did you find anything interesting regarding the history of prosthetics? Looking forward to more from you!
ReplyDeleteHi Fajr! With physical therapy for prosthetic legs, there is gait-training, and it is the main form of therapy since the most important aspect of a prosthetic leg is learning to balance and use it as support when standing and walking; but not for other prosthetics. Unfortunately, I did not take any pictures, but, I will make sure to include some pictures of my work in the further weeks. I read an interesting paper about how in ancient Egypt, the main purpose behind the prosthetics that they used was mainly cosmetic appearance,and how they actually feared amputation more than death, since it represented an ill-fated creation. So that was interesting, to see how there was a social stigma towards prosthetics. Thank you!
DeleteHi! Sounds like a really interesting project and I can't wait to see your research. What are you expecting in the differences when comparing a prosthetic hand and a real hand? Are expecting small or vast differences? Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHi Vindhya! Yeah, so I want to see how far modern prosthetics have come in terms of replicating the motor functions of a real hand. I hope there are small differences, which I will try to correct and design my own prosthetic. Thank you!
Delete