NEUROPROSTHETIC FOR DIABETICS

Key Terms•Edges:

The wires in an electrical circuit which provide connectivity

•Feedback:The output’s process from a system

•Neuroprosthetic:Prosthetic using a combination of neuroscience

and biomedical engineering•Nodes:

The main components of a system

Key Terms•Peripheral Neuropathy:

Disease or dysfunction of peripheral nerves causing numbness or weakness

•Prosthetic:An artificial body part

•Spikerbox:A device to analyze the neural response of stimulating

a cockroach leg•System:

A set of connected components forming a complex whole

The Need•People with diabetes lose feeling in feet which is known as peripheral neuropathy

•Neuropathy:-Four types (peripheral, autonomic, proximal, and focal)-60-70% of diabetics have some neuropathy-Stems from high blood sugar for too long

The Need•Peripheral Neuropathy:-Damage to peripheral nervous system (transmits info from brain/spinal cord to every body part)-Commonly affects legs and feet-Prone to increased risk of foot problems-Causes damage to nerves which allow feeling of pain-Symptoms (tingling, numbness, or burning)

Solution•Neuroprosthetic:Sock designed to help diabetics suffering from peripheral neuropathy to regain sensation of pain in their feet *No neuroprosthetics currently exists that address this problem*

•Features:-Custom fitted-Restores sensation of pain-Wireless connectivity b/t sock and electrode array-Information syncs with smartphone

PrototypeBluetooth sender

Force sensors

Electrode Array w/ Bluetooth receiver

Compression Sock•First Creation:

Made in 1920’s by Bauerfeind family company in eastern Thuringia (federal state in central Germany)

•Adoption in US:Americans began wearing it more in 1950’s

due to health benefits•Adoption Around the World:

European governments would pay for citizens who needed the benefits of compression sock therapy to avoid future health problems

High-Tech Arm Sleeve•Function:

-Helps coach basketball players in increasing the accuracy of their shots

-Sleeves are packed with sensors that track their movements for analysis on a computer

•Creators:-Vibrado

•Similarities:-An external neuroprosthetic with sensors to assist in tracking information

Neuroprosthetic vs. Spikerbox•Inputs: Force sensor, stimulation•Outputs: Sense of pain, sound•Nodes: Force sensor , Bluetooth sender/receiver,

electrode array

Cockroach leg, speaker, battery, spikerbox electrodes and wires

Arduino SystemBreadboard

Force Sensor

LED

Arduino

Arduino System•Input: Force sensor•Output: LED light•Nodes: Wires, resistor, force sensor, LED, Arduino, and breadboard•System: Arduino system as a whole•Subsystem: Force sensor, LED, Arduino, and breadboard•Edges: Wires•Equilibrium: Resistors (balance current)

Neuroprosthetic System•Disruption: Diminished sensation of feeling in legs and feet•Feedback: Sensation and reaction to pain

Advancements in Prosthetics•Sensor Integration - There is a need for integration of technology into compression socks, similar those in the arm sleeve

•Waterproof Design- The sock needs to have some plastic cover to encapsulate the sensors to prevent water from reaching it

•Bluetooth Electrode Array- Build bluetooth receiver into electrode array (focus on security)

Ethical Issues•Electrode Array – Invasive technology in human organ•Threat to User’s Privacy – Potential harm if technology is hacked or user’s logged data is stolen

•Cost – Too expensive for diabetics in developing countries•Insurance – Insurance companies not covering the full cost of the prosthetic

•Religion – May interfere with the religious beliefs of people about altering someone’s body

Addressing the Issues•Electrode Array – Informing users about all potential threats and making them sign consent forms

•Threat to User’s Privacy – Ensure that user has choice to have data logged and encrypt software and technology to make it difficult to hack

•Cost/Insurance – Create government programs to assist insurance companies and people to cover the costs

•Religion – Depending interpretation of what their religion says about altering the human body, must make their own decision

QUESTIONS