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Development and evaluation of an assessment and therapy device for foot peripheral neuropathy
Peripheral neuropathy affects approximately 2% of the population (e.g. linked to diabetes, MS, chemotherapy, antibiotics…), resulting in motor and somatosensory impairments and pain (numbness, tingling, burning, stabbing) in peripheral body segments, primarily the feet. Sensory stimulation and mechanical mobilization of the foot/toes have been shown to positively affect pain and balance in peripheral neuropathy. The Rehabilitation Engineering Lab at ETH has pioneered technology for the assessment and therapy of somatosensory hand function, applied in stroke, CP and MS. The goal of this project is to transfer and validate this technology in foot peripheral neuropathy.
Keywords: – robot-assisted rehabilitation
– peripheral neuropathy
– neuropathic pain
– assessment
– therapy
– somatosensory and motor deficits
This project aims to design and evaluate a robotic device to assess and treat somatosensory and motor symptoms of foot peripheral neuropathy. The device should be able to mechanically mobilize the toes, and integrate a pressure/temperature stimulation device developed by www.metaphysiks.com. The development will be based on the prior experience of the lab with the somatosensory assessment and therapy of hand function (https://relab.ethz.ch/research/current-research-projects/robotic-somatosensory-assessment-of-hand-function.html)
This project aims to design and evaluate a robotic device to assess and treat somatosensory and motor symptoms of foot peripheral neuropathy. The device should be able to mechanically mobilize the toes, and integrate a pressure/temperature stimulation device developed by www.metaphysiks.com. The development will be based on the prior experience of the lab with the somatosensory assessment and therapy of hand function (https://relab.ethz.ch/research/current-research-projects/robotic-somatosensory-assessment-of-hand-function.html)
The goal is to develop and validate a prototype device to assess and treat somatosensory and motor deficits related to peripheral neuropathy in the foot.
The goal is to develop and validate a prototype device to assess and treat somatosensory and motor deficits related to peripheral neuropathy in the foot.
Literature research and definition of technical requirements
Development of a prototype of a somatosensory/motor assessment/therapy device for foot peripheral neuropathy
Implementation of assessment/therapy protocols and prototype evaluation
Intermediate and final project presentations and final report
Literature research and definition of technical requirements Development of a prototype of a somatosensory/motor assessment/therapy device for foot peripheral neuropathy Implementation of assessment/therapy protocols and prototype evaluation Intermediate and final project presentations and final report
The ideal candidate for this project should have a background in Mechanical Engineering/Health Sciences and Technology/Electrical Engineering/ Biomedical Engineering. You are highly motivated and interested in biomechanics, robotics and disorders of the nervous system. You are excited to apply your analytical and problem-solving skills and can work independently and in a team environment. Experience with LabVIEW or Arduino programming languages are a plus.
The ideal candidate for this project should have a background in Mechanical Engineering/Health Sciences and Technology/Electrical Engineering/ Biomedical Engineering. You are highly motivated and interested in biomechanics, robotics and disorders of the nervous system. You are excited to apply your analytical and problem-solving skills and can work independently and in a team environment. Experience with LabVIEW or Arduino programming languages are a plus.
If you are interested or have further questions, please contact Roger Gassert (roger.gassert@hest.ethz.ch). Please include your CV, a short motivation and transcripts in your application.
If you are interested or have further questions, please contact Roger Gassert (roger.gassert@hest.ethz.ch). Please include your CV, a short motivation and transcripts in your application.