Details

Nearly 300,000 individuals are living with spinal cord injuries (SCI), and over 12,000 new SCI occur annually in the United States. Most SCIs involve the cervical (neck) region of the spine and cause partial or complete loss of movement of both arms, both legs, and the torso (quadriplegia). Individuals with a higher-level and more complete SCI typically have greater loss of functional movement and sensation below the level of the injury. They require greater levels of assistance for self-care and mobility. Currently, there are limited options for quadriplegics to access water to perform basic activities of daily living such as drinking. Additionally, hydration packs and straws create unsanitary conditions and can be difficult to use. The aim of the project is to develop an innovative fountain faucet to enable individuals living with SCI to access water more independently for basic activities of daily living. The faucet incorporates electromechanical controls and software programs that adjust spray outlets, spray angles, and water temperatures. A proximity sensor and voice recognition function allow users to control the faucet through a smart speaker. These features enable precise dispensing of water at the desired temperature and volume, while a camera and other sensors enable hands-free operation. Subjects, including individuals living with SCI and controls, were recruited from an outpatient rehabilitation clinic to test the functionality of the faucet including eye gaze, voice, and motion sensors to control the water stream for drinking, rinsing, and grooming. The examiner screened the subjects to determine their levels of functional independence (independent, modified independent, assistance required, and dependent). The participants were also interviewed regarding their current methods of drinking, rinsing, and grooming. The percentage and standard deviation of individuals in each level of independence for each function were calculated. A t-test was conducted to determine any significant differences in the dependence levels between the tested subjects and the control group.