Marjanovic Nicholas, Kerr Kevin, Aranda Ricardo, Hickey Richard, Esmailbeigi Hananeh
Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2017 Jul;2017:3852-3855. doi: 10.1109/EMBC.2017.8037697.
Controlling a computer or a smartphone's cursor allows the user to access a world full of information. For millions of people with limited upper extremities motor function, controlling the cursor becomes profoundly difficult. Our team has developed the User Interface Cursor-Controller (UIC-C) to assist the impaired individuals in regaining control over the cursor. The UIC-C is a hands-free device that utilizes the tongue muscle to control the cursor movements. The entire device is housed inside a subject specific retainer. The user maneuvers the cursor by manipulating a joystick imbedded inside the retainer via their tongue. The joystick movement commands are sent to an electronic device via a Bluetooth connection. The device is readily recognizable as a cursor controller by any Bluetooth enabled electronic device. The device testing results have shown that the time it takes the user to control the cursor accurately via the UIC-C is about three times longer than a standard computer mouse controlled via the hand. The device does not require any permanent modifications to the body; therefore, it could be used during the period of acute rehabilitation of the hands. With the development of modern smart homes, and enhancement electronics controlled by the computer, UIC-C could be integrated into a system that enables individuals with permanent impairment, the ability to control the cursor. In conclusion, the UIC-C device is designed with the goal of allowing the user to accurately control a cursor during the periods of either acute or permanent upper extremities impairment.
控制电脑或智能手机的光标能让用户进入一个充满信息的世界。对于数百万上肢运动功能受限的人来说，控制光标变得极其困难。我们的团队开发了用户界面光标控制器（UIC-C），以帮助受损个体重新获得对光标的控制。UIC-C是一种免提设备，利用舌肌来控制光标移动。整个设备安装在一个针对特定受试者的固定器内。用户通过用舌头操纵嵌入在固定器内的操纵杆来移动光标。操纵杆的移动指令通过蓝牙连接发送到电子设备。任何支持蓝牙的电子设备都能轻松识别该设备为光标控制器。设备测试结果表明，用户通过UIC-C准确控制光标的时间大约是用手控制标准电脑鼠标所需时间的三倍。该设备无需对身体进行任何永久性改造；因此，它可在手部急性康复期间使用。随着现代智能家居的发展以及由电脑控制的增强型电子设备的出现，UIC-C可集成到一个系统中，使永久性受损个体能够控制光标。总之，UIC-C设备的设计目标是让用户在急性或永久性上肢损伤期间都能准确控制光标。
