Clinical Technology & Diagnostics Research Unit @CTDRU

1. Clinical Technology & Diagnostics Research Unit @CTDRU Head of unit: Professor Peter W. McCarthyContributing researchers: Dan Clegg, Andrew Heusch, Nadia Nair, Bianca Zietsman Old age is like everything else. To make a success of it, you’ve got to start young.” Theodore Roosevelt Neck function can be easily compromised and is generally expected to decrease with age. By studying elite sportspeople we have discovered this might be the consequence of lack of awareness. Most noticeable to date was the finding that participants (as below) can have the same neck function as those with whiplash associated disorders and geriatric patients! Outcome: Creation of gloves increases the ability to perform ADLs – Promotes independence and increases quality of life Outcome: creating self awareness and possibly attempting to prevent damage/further damage and potentially rectify the problem; with the hope that this would mitigate any further injury to other areas of the body Result: Method: 12 materials tested for heat-retentiveness The average sensor output of 11 healthy participants aged 19 to 34 years. Participants were required to sit on three sitting surfaces for 40 minutes. Some materials retained more heat than others – new prototypes were created using a combination of material 8 and 9, to create prototype 11 Purpose This study investigated the views of carers on using sensor detection technology in line with their current management protocol. Using calibrated sensors to record temperature loss inside materials over 72 tests, each lasting 150 minutes Male and female Rugby Union players Elite players, aged between 18-30 Figure 1: Methodology for this study Dementia sufferers often develop incontinence[1]. However, dementia sufferers view attempts to maintain continence as intrusive, resulting in behavioural problems [2] Carers commend traditional approaches to maintaining continence, however many also consider technology could avoid delays in checking and limit intrusion on those who are already unaware of their deficits[3]. This study investigates the feasibility of using technology to overcome communication barriers between carers and sufferers and will be carried out in two parts, ‘a care home questionnaire study’ and a ‘sensor detection system study’. Figure 1: Sensors measuring participants thighs and coccyx Measures of thighs and coccyx of participants on 3 surfaces: Blue line: Sensors exposed with no cover Red line: Sensors with a cover Green line: Sensors placed in encapsulated bags. Outcome Sensors measure higher humidity values from the coccyx region, than the thigh region. Sensors are able to measure under a micro weave cover. . Raynaud’s disease is a condition which is characterised by excessively cold and numb fingers due to insufficient blood perfusion1. Raynaud’s gloves on the current market are reported to be flawed in design2, and it was decided that the best way to approach creating improved gloves was to test materials, then combine the materials with the most effective properties to maximise heat retention, whilst preserving dexterity. Sitting Tests Care Home questionnaire study Outcome 21 questionnaires were returned , (England 9 and Wales 12) . 71% of the carers (15 homes) agreed that sensor technology may benefit. However 5 said it would not. One home did not answer. Table 1 shows some comments by the carers. Insert References here (currently in tab below)