Project Scope
The overall goal of this project is to provide a software and hardware package that will allow the therapist to remotely access the patient and administer fun, interactive knee rehabilitation. The scope of this project is three fold. The first objective is to create a portable “Telekit.” This kit will include a laptop computer, a webcam, a Wi-Fi hotspot, a Wii remote and a knee rehabilitation device. The objective is to create a minimal setup package that establishes a face-time communication link with the therapist. The second objective is to design a variable resistance, knee strengthening device (included in the Telekit) for children with Cerebral Palsy. The device will incorporate a Wii remote that will track the flexion and extension of the knee throughout the rehabilitation exercise. This information will then be transmitted to the laptop computer. The third objective is to create a “Telepackage.” The first portion of this package will allow the therapist to diagnose a patient and prescribe treatment remotely. The rehabilitation exercises assigned will then be tied to interactive, online games. The data from the Wii remote on the knee device will be transformed into discrete keystrokes controlling the game. The final portion of the package will be the evaluation of the patient’s game performance. Ideally, the Telepackage will produce a final group of scores that will be measuring multiple metrics, indicating the progress of the patient’s rehabilitation. Possible metrics to track can include number of repetitions, range of motion, velocity of motion or the force applied to the device. Using these scores, the Telepackage will be able to track performance of a patient over time. The therapist will then be able to increase or decrease the level of difficulty of the rehabilitation exercise by altering the difficulty of the online game or by altering the resistance of the knee device. As a finishing touch, we will provide a set of detailed instructions for each process, ensuring clarity and direction for the patient.