Rapid prototyping of interactive software for automated instrumentation in rehabilitative therapy.

Rapid prototyping is a quick, efficient way to evaluate new electrical instruments. A hardware interface between a computer and an instrument can be simulated in software. The authors demonstrate the technique of rapid prototyping by developing interfaces for two therapeutic strength-testing devices and an electromagnetic tracker/digitizer. The LabVIEW rapid prototyping software tool was used to create "virtual instruments," which combine to form interfaces. The functions and connections of each virtual instrument are described.