The relationship between surface, perception, and structure has occupied my graduate studies. Locating, transforming, and transcending the surface requires play with perceptive abilities not only of vision, but of touch, hearing, and the other senses as well. How do the interactions of sense with the qualities of a surface determine our perception of the world? What role does the extension of the senses play in one's ability to perceive surface and structure? Using sense information gleaned from surfaces, the tectonics of our world are made visible. Might this relationship be played backwards as well? Composed structures produce surfaces upon which limina can be sensed.This written accompaniment to the thesis works is intended to continue the exploration of the surface/ sense/ structure relationship. With the visual work as a basis, each section consists of two parts. This structure is a tool for producing sense information for the viewer concerning the visual work.The first part serves as a bridge between the particular visual work and the second part. Consisting of a page or so of text, the first part of each section is also intended to set a tone or position the reader for the second part. The second part is more formal and speaks about the ideas behind the produced object, and for the most part could be applied to any works in this thesis. My desire is that the adjacency of the pieces in each section will create a friction of sorts— an awareness of the surface between the two writings, and perhaps, between the writing and the objects.

This thesis proposes an algorithm that determine the geometry of 3D-printed, custom-designed spring element bands made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) for use in a wearable orthotic device to aid in the physical therapy of a human hand exhibiting spasticity after stroke. Each finger of the hand is modeled as a mechanical system consisting of a triple-rod pendulum with nonlinear stiffness at each joint and forces applied at the attachment point of each flexor muscle. The system is assumed quasi-static, which leads to a torque balance between the flexor tendons in the hand, joint stiffness and the design force applied to the fingertip by the 3D-printed spring element. To better understand material properties of the spring element’s material, several tests are performed on TPE specimens printed with different infill geometries, including tensile tests and cyclic loading tests. The data and stress-strain curves for each geometry type are presented, which yield a nonlinear relationship between stress and strain as well as apparent hysteresis. Polynomial curves are used to fit the data, which allows for the band geometry to be designed. A hypothetical hand is presented along with how input measurements might be taken for the algorithm. The inputs are entered into the algorithm, and the geometry of the bands for each finger are generated. Results are discussed, and future work is noted, providing a means for the design of a customized orthotic device.

One of the most devastating effects of tetraplegia is the inability to grasp and manipulate everyday objects necessary to living an independent life. Currently surgery is widely accepted as the solution to improve hand functionality. However, surgery becomes difficult when the user has paralysed wrists as is the case with C5 tetraplegia. The aim of this research was to develop a solution which provided controlled wrist flexion and extension which, when combined with surgery, achieves a 'key pinch' grip. This particular grip is critically important for people with C5 tetraplegia as it is used for countless grasping activities, necessary on a day-to-day basis. A systematic design process was used to evolve the solution to provide controlled wrist flexion and extension. Concept brainstorming identified four alternative solutions which were evaluated to find the preferred concept. The chosen solution was called the Self Powered Wrist Extension Orthosis, more commonly referred to as the 'orthosis'. This concept contained a shoulder harness which provided both energy and control to the wrist harness, which in turn changed the wrist position. The orthosis was developed with the use of a mathematical model which theoretically predicted the functional performance by comparing the required force needed to move the wrist harness to the achievable force supplied by the user's shoulders. Using these parameters, the orthosis was optimized using the matlab Nelder-Mead algorithm which adjusted the wrist harness geometries to maximize the functional performance. A prototype was constructed and tested with the help of two participants who when combined, achieved an average of 18.5° of wrist rotation. The theoretical model however predicted an average range of motion of 28.4°. The discrepancy found between the theoretical and experimental result can be contributed to incorrect assumptions in the theoretical model. This included unaccounted friction and inaccurate modeling of the orthosis dynamics. The feedback from potential users of the orthosis was enthusiastic and encouraging especially towards the simplicity, usability and practicality of the design.

Prosthetic alignment is the principle of the position and orientation and of the components in a lower limb prosthesis to achieve desirable biomechanical characteristics. Poor alignment of lower limb prostheses is related to decreased balance, knee and hip arthritis, and higher energy expenditure for the user. Clinicians, the prosthetists, have declared they need better tools and increased knowledge in how to perform lower limb prosthetic alignments. Therefore, the aim was to develop a tool concept for clinicians to use in the prosthetic alignment process. This thesis mapped out most of the variables a clinician must consider in the alignment process, identified the clinicians needs of an alignment tool, and screened the market for existing solutions. A systematic approach was applied to develop a conceptual tool from the gathered information. The needs of the customer were based on interviews with clinicians and competing products were benchmarked. Two different conceptual tools were developed, tested with clinicians with promising results, and presented in this thesis. Due to confidentiality agreements with the cooperating company, the designs and functions of the final concepts cannot be shown in the report and are therefore covered in the publication. / Protesuppställning är principen av att orientera och positionera komponenterna i en benprotes för att uppnå önskvärda biomekaniska egenskaper. Undermålig protesuppställning är relaterat till försämrad balans, knä- och höftartros, samt högre energiförbrukning hos användaren. Ortopedingenjörer har uttalat att de behöver bättre verktyg och ökad kunskap kring hur man bäst utför uppställning för benproteser. Uppsatsen ämnade därför att utveckla ett verktygskoncept för ortopedingenjören att använda i protesuppställningen. Den här uppsatsen har kartlagt de flesta variabler som en ortopedingenjör behöver överväga i uppställningsprocessen, identifierat ortopedingenjörers behov i ett uppställningsverktyg, samt undersökt marknaden för existerande lösningar. Ett systematiskt tillvägagångsätt användes för att utveckla ett konceptuellt verktyg baserat på den insamlade informationen. Kundens behov identifierades genom intervjuer med ortopedingenjörer och konkurrerande lösningar sammanställdes i en konkurrensanalys. Två olika konceptuella verktyg utvecklades, testades tillsammans med ortopedingenjörer med lovande resultat, samt har presenterats i denna uppsats. På grund av sekretessavtal med företaget som ingått i samarbetet kunde designen och funktioner, som ingår i de slutliga koncepten och resultatet, inte visas i denna rapport och är därmed övertäckta vid publicering.

Based on what body adornment has been throughout history, this project investigates what it might be in the future. The possibilities, forms and methods of body adornment has changed and will continue to change over time, along with our societal and environmental shifts as well as with developments in science and technology. Our bodies are increasingly perceived as malleable objects that we can modify, enhance and improve. I use speculation as a method to explore how the human body may develop and be modified in the future. I envision a world where we have become increasingly intertwined with technologies, where environmental changes and our lifestyle have affected our biology, and where our bodies have continued to be altered based on social norms. Through this project I have become some kind of contemporary Frankenstein scientist, although I am not in a laboratory but in a jewellery workshop. My objects, which I call potential jewellery, or maybe-jewellery, are presented in an installation in the form of a clinical setting. It is a representation of where body adornment meets medical technology, where jewellery meets prostheses and implants. This project does not have any answers or a clear message about what is right or wrong – it is based on a curiosity without having a conclusion in mind. The installation is meant to be a reminder that our bodies are always adorned, modified and in transformation – that we are in an ongoing metamorphosis from one state to another.

[pt] Do impulso ao mergulho numa paisagem submersa, este almanaque propõe uma reflexão sobre surdez e escuta. A escrita conduz o pensamento através da observação de imagens submarinas, seguindo um percurso que cruza fronteiras; entre o lúdico e os dados científicos, a teoria e a intuição, a certeza e incerteza, humano e bicho, natural artificial. Num caminho que deseja chegar ao abismo, para conhecer seus monstros e sua pluralidade. / [en] From impulse to diving in a submerged landscape, this almanac proposes a reflection on deafness and listening. Writing leads thought through the observation of under-water images, following a route that crosses borders; between ludic and scientific data, theory and intuition, certainty and uncertainty, human and animal, natural and artificial. In a path that wants to reach the abyss, to know its monsters and plurality.

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No description available.

Background: Scanners are becoming widespread in Prosthetics and Orthotics, replacing plaster casting in the manufacture of some types of devices. P&O shape capture must be accurate and reliable, so the device is comfortable and reproducible between clinicians/sessions. Objectives: To map knowledge on measuring accuracy and reliability of spatial data produced from 3D scanners. Methods: The study design was a scoping review using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR). Studies published in or after 2010 in English with a full-text available that analyse either the accuracy/validity or reliability of human 3D scanning data within a P&O context. Sources were obtained from Pubmed, CINAHL, Scopus, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and AMed databases on 25th March. Results: The search identified 115 studies of which 9 were included (7 experimental [4 prosthetic, 3 orthotic], 1 systematic review, 1 literature review). 7 analysed both reliability and accuracy/validity and 2 analysed reliability. High heterogeneity amongst studies’ methods, techniques, and equipment. Conclusion: Methods, techniques, and equipment used to measure accuracy/validity and reliability varied greatly though more so in the measurement of accuracy/validity. Within the studies, researchers called for more research on standardisation of measurement methods and techniques.

Background: Disruptive technology describes technology that is significantly more advanced than previous iterations, such as: 3D printing, genetic manipulation, stem cell research, innovative surgical procedures, and computer-based charting software. These technologies often require extensive overhauls to implement into older systems and must overcome many difficult financial and societal complications before they can be widely used. In a field like healthcare that makes frequent advancements, these difficulties can mean that the technology will not be utilized to its full potential or implemented at all. Objective: To determine the inhibiting factors that prevent disruptive technology from being implemented in conventional healthcare. Methods: Peer reviewed articles were gathered from Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), Elton B. Stephens Co. Host (Ebsco Host), Medical Literature On-line (Medline), and Psychological Information Database (PsychINFO). Articles were included if written in English and focusing on technology that was or is difficult to implement. Results: Research suggests that the primary reason disruptive technology is not implemented sooner is the cost versus benefit ratio. Those technologies with extremely high benefits that greatly improve efficiency, safety, or expense are integrated relatively quickly, especially if their cost is reasonable. Secondary reasons for difficulty with integration include ethical dilemmas, extreme complexity, technical limitations, maintenance, security, and fallibility. Conclusion: Research indicates that a decrease in production cost and selling price along with removing any issues that may depreciate the technology will provide better incentives for healthcare systems to integrate disruptive technologies on a wider scale.