Ann Rehabil Med.  2013 Jun;37(3):443-448. 10.5535/arm.2013.37.3.443.

The Selection of the Appropriate Computer Interface Device for Patients With High Cervical Cord Injury

• Kim DG
• Lee BS
• Lim SE
• Kim DA
• Hwang SI
• Yim YL
• Park JM

• KMID: 2219545
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2013.37.3.443

Abstract

In order to determine the most suitable computer interfaces for patients with high cervical cord injury, we report three cases of applications of special input devices. The first was a 49-year-old patient with neurological level of injury (NLI) C4, American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (ASIA)-A. He could move the cursor by using a webcam-based Camera Mouse. Moreover, clicking the mouse could only be performed by pronation of the forearm on the modified Micro Light Switch. The second case was a 41-year-old patient with NLI C3, ASIA-A. The SmartNav 4AT which responds according to head movements could provide stable performance in clicking and dragging. The third was a 13-year-old patient with NLI C1, ASIA-B. The IntegraMouse enabling clicking and dragging with fine movements of the lips. Selecting the appropriate interface device for patients with high cervical cord injury could be considered an important part of rehabilitation. We expect the standard proposed in this study will be helpful.

Keyword

User computer interface; Cervical cord injury syndrome

MeSH Terms

Animals
Forearm
Head Movements
Humans
Light
Lip
Mice
Pronation
Spinal Injuries
User-Computer Interface

Figure

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  Fig. 1 The computer interfaces that sense the movement of a specific part of the body. (A) Camera Mouse, (B) Head Z mouse, (C) SmartNav 4AT, and (D) Eyemouse4.

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  Fig. 2 The computer interfaces that are operated by the mouth. (A) Mouse stick and touch screen, (B) Jouse2, and (C) IntegraMouse.

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  Fig. 3 (A) Combination of Camera Mouse, webcam, MintoClick 1.0, and screen keyboard and (B) MintoClick 1.0.

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  Fig. 4 (A) SmartNav 4AT and reflector (arrow), (B) Dwell Clicking, and (C) combination of SmartNav 4AT, Dwell Clicking, and screen keyboard.

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  Fig. 5 (A) SmartNav 4AT and reflector (arrow), (B) Dwell Clicking, and (C) combination of SmartNav 4AT, Dwell Clicking, and screen keyboard.

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