Mobility assistance for patients with Quadriplegia

Abstract

Immobility often causes psychological and social effects on the person. Since immobility cannot be cured even by using drugs in most cases, it is essential that such people be given a means of mobility which does not let their immobility hinder their day to day life. This paper describes a very feasible mobility solution for the physically impaired people especially those who are suffering from spinal cord injury in the higher levels of C1-C7. Independent Electromyogram( EMG) signals obtained from the neck muscles of the patient using active EMG electrodes have been used to control the direction of movement of the wheelchair . The direction and degree of movement of the neck governs the speed and motion of the motor powered wheelchair. Ultrasonic sensors placed on the wheelchair have been used for obstacle avoidance. Experimental results have shown that the designed solution is very feasible, cost effective and requires very less training of the user.