9/14/18
This week, we continued our research for our project, specifically looking at existing solutions. We have noted that, while there are commercially available myoelectric rehabilitation programs, none are directed towards children specifically, and they are often quite expensive. Both of these notes are driving causes for Myomate’s development.
In addition to researching existing solutions, our group met with Dr. Chamberlain from the Computer Science Department for guidance regarding the relationship between hardware and software in our project. Specific advice that Dr. Chamberlain offered included the idea that the majority of our program should be generated in a game developing environment, where the data is either received directly from a processor or from a language that is receiving the information from the processor. Additionally, Dr. Chamberlain mentioned that, when considering different processors, it is worthwhile to understand the balance between convenience (i.e. of collecting and relaying data) vs. complexity (i.e. of code and circuitry required) for our project.
Following our meeting with Dr. Chamberlain, we began working with a game development environment (Unity) to learn how such systems generally work. This prototyping indicated that myoelectric signals (obtained using electrodes and processed by an arduino) can be sent directly from the processor to the game development environment without having to go through a language program (such as Java or python). Essentially, this indicates that the myoelectric signal may function as a “joystick,” allowing the user to have some control of the video game simply by generating a myoelectric signal.
9/21/18
This week, we finished and submitted our preliminary report. Additionally, we began prototyping MyoMate, and have successfully developed an interface between muscle signalling and the gaming environment. This prototype utilizes the MyoWare V4 Module to read the EMG signal, where it is then processed and converted from an analog to a digital signal using an Arduino processor. Finally, this digital signal is read by Unity (the game development environment) where it affects some action.
Currently, we have begun developing the first of three potential “games” within our program. This game focuses on creating a sustained signal for specified durations of time. As the participant increases levels, the duration and baseline myoelectric signal will increase. The other potential games include a strength test and a precision test.
In addition to the game development, our group had another meeting with Dr. Goldfarb, where we were informed that we will be receiving money from a grant (of around $7000) to aid in our development process. This grant was provided from Children’s Hospital. Also during our meeting, we discussed the potential for opening a case study with actual patients (rather than using able-bodied individuals to test our program’s efficacy). Since this conversation, we have began devising an application to the IRB to obtain approval.
9/28/18
The main progress this week was made in the realm of clinical research.
On Friday around noon, I met with an IRB representative and Summer Roberts (Orthopedic Surgery Clinical Research Coordinator). During this meeting, the IRB representative informed us that we would need to submit an IRB proposal for Human Subjects Research. We will be completing this proposal on Sunday, and the time frame is either 3 days or up to a month (full board review).
Additionally, we have identified a patient who is willing to help us once we obtain approval.
Lastly, Using the grant from Dr. Goldfarb's project, we ordered an Arduino Uno, which arrived on Saturday. We can now return Dr. Widder's Arduino Uno to her lab.
10/5/18
This week, we wrote our IRB application, and it is pending review by the orthopedic surgery department and the IRB board. Additionally, we completed our progress report and Pugh charts, proving that we built the right product and that we built the product right. Additionally, Whack-a-mole has been programmed, and it is pending integration with the muscle sensor.
10/12/18
This week, we continued with our regular research and developing our program. Additionally, Stephen presented the progress report to the class.
In addition to our research, we updated Dr. Moran on the status of our project. During this meeting, Dr. Moran indicated specific ways that we could wire our system that would maximally reduce the amount of noise observed in our signal. This included shortening the wires connecting from the EMG module to the Arduino processor and elongating the wires from the processor to the computer.
We are also moving forward in the process of getting IRB approval to work with human subjects. The content of our proposal (primarily indicating the project need and the proposed procedure) has been approved. We are currently waiting for departmental signatures in order to finish the process.
Throughout this process, we have been receiving much support from our mentor, Dr. Goldfarb. He has been guiding us to ensure that we are able to work effectively in producing a program that provides a meaningful benefit to patients.
10/19/18
This week, we spoke with Dr. Goldfarb about additional patients, IRB approval, and the progress report. Dr. Goldfarb has identified at least 2 addition patients for our study: one with an above elbow amputation and one with a below elbow amputation.
Additionally, we continued development of our gaming software. We have developed a main menu as well as a method for tracking the score. The next projects are developing a Gun-o-Fun and Ring the Bell games.
Lastly, we had most of our materials arrive; we now have everything needed to construct the fitting apparatus.
10/19/18
This week, we have continued MyoMate development and working on the IRB proposal. With development, we have begun making a convenient apparatus to store the EMG module and processor. This apparatus provides the benefits of increasing aesthetic as well as preventing direct interface between the user and the program wiring. Therefore, it limits the potential for the patient to disrupt the system or obtain electrical feedback from the system. An additional benefit is that the apparatus helps to isolate the system, hopefully reducing the noise in the signal. For the IRB proposal, we are continuing to work out the final logistics so that we may begin working with participants.
We intend on meeting with Dr. Goldfarb in the near future with MyoMate to demonstrate the actual progress on development.
This week, we continued our research for our project, specifically looking at existing solutions. We have noted that, while there are commercially available myoelectric rehabilitation programs, none are directed towards children specifically, and they are often quite expensive. Both of these notes are driving causes for Myomate’s development.
In addition to researching existing solutions, our group met with Dr. Chamberlain from the Computer Science Department for guidance regarding the relationship between hardware and software in our project. Specific advice that Dr. Chamberlain offered included the idea that the majority of our program should be generated in a game developing environment, where the data is either received directly from a processor or from a language that is receiving the information from the processor. Additionally, Dr. Chamberlain mentioned that, when considering different processors, it is worthwhile to understand the balance between convenience (i.e. of collecting and relaying data) vs. complexity (i.e. of code and circuitry required) for our project.
Following our meeting with Dr. Chamberlain, we began working with a game development environment (Unity) to learn how such systems generally work. This prototyping indicated that myoelectric signals (obtained using electrodes and processed by an arduino) can be sent directly from the processor to the game development environment without having to go through a language program (such as Java or python). Essentially, this indicates that the myoelectric signal may function as a “joystick,” allowing the user to have some control of the video game simply by generating a myoelectric signal.
9/21/18
This week, we finished and submitted our preliminary report. Additionally, we began prototyping MyoMate, and have successfully developed an interface between muscle signalling and the gaming environment. This prototype utilizes the MyoWare V4 Module to read the EMG signal, where it is then processed and converted from an analog to a digital signal using an Arduino processor. Finally, this digital signal is read by Unity (the game development environment) where it affects some action.
Currently, we have begun developing the first of three potential “games” within our program. This game focuses on creating a sustained signal for specified durations of time. As the participant increases levels, the duration and baseline myoelectric signal will increase. The other potential games include a strength test and a precision test.
In addition to the game development, our group had another meeting with Dr. Goldfarb, where we were informed that we will be receiving money from a grant (of around $7000) to aid in our development process. This grant was provided from Children’s Hospital. Also during our meeting, we discussed the potential for opening a case study with actual patients (rather than using able-bodied individuals to test our program’s efficacy). Since this conversation, we have began devising an application to the IRB to obtain approval.
9/28/18
The main progress this week was made in the realm of clinical research.
On Friday around noon, I met with an IRB representative and Summer Roberts (Orthopedic Surgery Clinical Research Coordinator). During this meeting, the IRB representative informed us that we would need to submit an IRB proposal for Human Subjects Research. We will be completing this proposal on Sunday, and the time frame is either 3 days or up to a month (full board review).
Additionally, we have identified a patient who is willing to help us once we obtain approval.
Lastly, Using the grant from Dr. Goldfarb's project, we ordered an Arduino Uno, which arrived on Saturday. We can now return Dr. Widder's Arduino Uno to her lab.
10/5/18
This week, we wrote our IRB application, and it is pending review by the orthopedic surgery department and the IRB board. Additionally, we completed our progress report and Pugh charts, proving that we built the right product and that we built the product right. Additionally, Whack-a-mole has been programmed, and it is pending integration with the muscle sensor.
10/12/18
This week, we continued with our regular research and developing our program. Additionally, Stephen presented the progress report to the class.
In addition to our research, we updated Dr. Moran on the status of our project. During this meeting, Dr. Moran indicated specific ways that we could wire our system that would maximally reduce the amount of noise observed in our signal. This included shortening the wires connecting from the EMG module to the Arduino processor and elongating the wires from the processor to the computer.
We are also moving forward in the process of getting IRB approval to work with human subjects. The content of our proposal (primarily indicating the project need and the proposed procedure) has been approved. We are currently waiting for departmental signatures in order to finish the process.
Throughout this process, we have been receiving much support from our mentor, Dr. Goldfarb. He has been guiding us to ensure that we are able to work effectively in producing a program that provides a meaningful benefit to patients.
10/19/18
This week, we spoke with Dr. Goldfarb about additional patients, IRB approval, and the progress report. Dr. Goldfarb has identified at least 2 addition patients for our study: one with an above elbow amputation and one with a below elbow amputation.
Additionally, we continued development of our gaming software. We have developed a main menu as well as a method for tracking the score. The next projects are developing a Gun-o-Fun and Ring the Bell games.
Lastly, we had most of our materials arrive; we now have everything needed to construct the fitting apparatus.
10/19/18
This week, we have continued MyoMate development and working on the IRB proposal. With development, we have begun making a convenient apparatus to store the EMG module and processor. This apparatus provides the benefits of increasing aesthetic as well as preventing direct interface between the user and the program wiring. Therefore, it limits the potential for the patient to disrupt the system or obtain electrical feedback from the system. An additional benefit is that the apparatus helps to isolate the system, hopefully reducing the noise in the signal. For the IRB proposal, we are continuing to work out the final logistics so that we may begin working with participants.
We intend on meeting with Dr. Goldfarb in the near future with MyoMate to demonstrate the actual progress on development.