Rehabilitation Engineering

Answering the widespread demand for an introductory book on rehabilitation engineering (RE), Dr. Rory A. Cooper, a distinguished RE authority, and his esteemed colleagues present An Introduction to Rehabilitation Engineering. This resource introduces the fundamentals and applications of RE and assistive technologies (ATs). After providing a

The purpose of this handbook is to bring together information on the special devices and associated systems which have been developed to assist the handicapped in living and vocational pursuits and in clinical use. This unique work places emphasis on the devices and systems plus includes sufficient background information to clarify the objectives and use. The general subject matter is divided into two major areas. The first area deals primarily with the environment of the handicapped. The second section deals with devices for personal assist systems-such as for testing, evaluation, and training-and devices which provide individualized support. The information in this comprehensive handbook will assist those working directly in the broad field of rehabilitation of the handicapped and also those associated with the subject matter in a peripheral way, including counseling and vocational evaluation.

Innovations in paediatric rehabilitation engineering can serve as a springboard to education, psychosocial, social, physical and cognitive development for children and youth with disabilities. Instead of providing an overview of rehabilitation engineering, Paediatric Rehabilitation Engineering focuses on the uniqueness of the paediatric subspecialty via an international sampling of methods and techniques currently in use or in development. The book is divided into three complementary components. The first group of chapters is broadly concerned with connecting individuals to their environment and to the people around them. The second group revolves around paediatric technologies that compensate for compromised or missing function. The final group of chapters is about machines and environments which provide stimulating and interactive platforms for therapy and research. Topics include: Microswitch-based occupational, recreational and rehabilitation programs Emerging access technologies, like infrared thermal imaging and vocal cord vibration detection Communication technologies to enable children to communicate in a variety of everyday environments Accessible graphical user and Web-based interface design Postural and upper and lower extremity compensation, such as customized chairs and prostheses Global efforts in the area of robotics for autism research Virtual reality and other interfaces to mitigate motor, communication, and physical control difficulties Paedriatric rehabilitation engineering offers endless possibilities for future research with implications across the fields of physical and cognitive rehabilitation, medicine, computer science, and policy. It is the harmonizing of the expertise and energies of rehabilitation professionals such as teachers, families, paediatric rehabilitation engineers, and other stakeholders that will ensure that children are optimally supported as they embark on their journey from disability to possibility.

The discipline of rehabilitation engineering draws on a wide range of specialist knowledge, from the biomedical sciences to materials technology. Rehabilitation Engineering Applied to Mobility and Manipulation provides broad background and motivational material to ease readers' introduction to the subject. The book begins with a wide-ranging yet concise introduction to the legislative, technological, testing, and design basis of rehabilitation engineering, followed by the fundamentals of design and materials and a full account of the biomechanics of rehabilitation. Major sections of the book are devoted to various aspects of mobility, including detailed discussion of wheelchair design. Valuable additional material deals with seating, prosthetic devices, robotics, and the often-neglected subject of recreational devices and vehicles. More than a thousand references to the research and review literature put readers in touch with the leading edge of a rapidly growing field.

Prostheses, assistive systems, and rehabilitation systems are essential to increasing the quality of life for people with disabilities. Research and development over the last decade has resulted in enormous advances toward that goal-none more so than the development of intelligent systems and technologies. In the first truly comprehensive book addressing intelligent technologies for the disabled, top experts from around the world provide an overview of this dynamic, rapidly evolving field. They present state-of-the-art information on the latest, innovative technologies and their applications in various systems designed to better the lives of the disabled. From the underlying principles to the design, practical applications, and assessment of results, Intelligent Systems and Technologies in Rehabilitation Engineering offers broad, pragmatic coverage of the field. It incorporates the most recent advances in sensory and limb prostheses, myoelectric control systems, circulatory systems, assistive technologies, and applications of virtual reality. Rapid progress demands a concerted effort to keep up with the latest developments so they can begin to serve their purpose and improve the lives of the disabled. By incorporating details of the latest and most important advances into one volume, Intelligent Systems and Technologies in Rehabilitation Engineering makes that undertaking essentially effortless.

Rehabilitation enables people with sensorimotor and cognitive disabilities to regain functions and autonomy. However, over the past few years, there has been a reduction in healthcare providers to assist patients. Fortunately, this decline has been accompanied by an increase in technological applications to support health systems. This new paradigm brings promising perspectives but raises questions regarding the therapy assisted by computers. To address these issues, this book intends to clarify the multidisciplinary aspects of medical engineering. The volume covers studies on the technical challenges in and barriers to the development of efficient rehabilitation and assistive technologies. It also provides a comprehensive approach to the recent advances in tele-health as a complementary medium to support the recovery process and to enhance patients' empowerment.

The purpose of this handbook is to bring together information on the special devices and associated systems which have been developed to assist the handicapped in living and vocational pursuits and in clinical use. This unique work places emphasis on the devices and systems plus includes sufficient background information to clarify the objectives and use. The general subject matter is divided into two major areas. The first area deals primarily with the environment of the handicapped. The second section deals with devices for personal assist systems-such as for testing, evaluation, and training-and devices which provide individualized support. The information in this comprehensive handbook will assist those working directly in the broad field of rehabilitation of the handicapped and also those associated with the subject matter in a peripheral way, including counseling and vocational evaluation.

INTELLIGENT SYSTEMS FOR REHABILITATION ENGINEERING Encapsulates different case studies where technology can be used as assistive technology for the physically challenged, visually and hearing impaired. Rehabilitation engineering includes the development of technological solutions and devices to assist individuals with disabilities, while also supporting the recovery of the disabled who have lost their physical and cognitive functions. These systems can be designed and built to meet a wide range of needs that can help individuals with mobility, communication, vision, hearing, and cognition. The growing technological developments in machine learning, deep learning, robotics, virtual intelligence, etc., play an important role in rehabilitation engineering. Intelligent Systems for Rehabilitation Engineering focuses on trending research of intelligent systems in rehabilitation engineering which involves the design and development of innovative technologies and techniques including rehabilitation robotics, visual rehabilitation, physical prosthetics, brain computer interfaces, sensory rehabilitation, motion rehabilitation, etc. This groundbreaking book Provides a comprehensive reference covering different computer assistive techniques for the physically disabled, visually and hearing impaired. Focuses on trending research of intelligent systems in rehabilitation engineering which involves the design and development of innovative technologies and techniques. Provides insights into the role of intelligent systems in rehabilitation engineering. Audience Engineers and device manufacturers working in rehabilitation engineering as well as researchers in computer science, artificial intelligence, electronic engineering, who are working on intelligent systems.