From: awsmith@UTCS.UTORONTO.CA (Drew Smith)
Newsgroups: misc.handicap
Subject: Introduction to Lyndhurst Spinal Cord Centre
Date: 16 Oct 92 03:37:38 GMT
Reply-To: awsmith@UTCS.UTORONTO.CA (Drew Smith)
Organization: Olivetti AFD
X-Fidonet: Spinal Injury Conference
Originator: wtm@sheldev.shel.isc-br.com

Index Number: 25037

This is from the Biomechanics and Movement Science mailing
list.

Dear BIOMCH-L Readers,

*******************************************************************
                  Lyndhurst Spinal Cord Centre
                      Research Department
******************************************************************

Lyndhurst Spinal Cord Centre, located in Toronto CANADA, has
been in existence since 1945 as one of the major rehabilitation
centres for spinal cord injured adults in Canada.  It is a 70-bed
facility which functions to assist clients in returning to the
community following a traumatic spinal cord injury.

Approximately 1,000 Canadians over the age of 15 sustain an injury
to their spinal cord and about 40% of clients at Lyndhurst are young
(15-35 years), males who are injured in motor vehicle and recreational
accidents.

The Research Department at Lyndhurst is staffed by a full-time Director
and Senior Researcher who are supported by three Researchers employed
at the 50% level (17-1/2 hours per week) and an Administrative Assistant.
Funding for the department's operations is provided by charitable
donations through the Lyndhurst Foundation.  Since 1988, the Department
has demonstrated steady growth, and has averaged approximately $200,000
per year in externally-funded research grants.  In addition, Lyndhurst
enjoys a formal relationship with the University of Toronto while the
Department has cross-appointed research associates from Queen's University
(Kingston, CANADA), York University (Toronto, CANADA) and the University
of Toronto.

The priorities of the Research Department are twofold:

  (1)  Community Integration and Long-Term Health Issues Following a
       Spinal Cord Injury

  (2)  Applications of Technology for Function for Spinal Cord Injured
       Adults

The latter priority is an area which would be of particular interest to
individuals with a biomechanics/bioengineering background.  Current projects
include:

   *   Voice-operated robotic manipulator for office tasks
   *   Improving access to computer technology for individuals with
       a high-level spinal cord injury, including:
       - head-pointing systems
       - keystroke reduction techniques
       - evaluation of current voice recognition techniques
   *   Physical rehabilitation research, including:
       - electronic music creation during upper extremity exercise
       - a clinically-based 3D motion analysis system
       - functional electrical stimulation for establishing gait in
         paraplegic subjects
       - development of a manual wheelchair ergometer

Any individuals interesting in obtaining more information about Lyndhurst,
or those who would like to share their experiences in any area related to
spinal cord research, can contact:

                  Andrew (Drew) W. Smith, Ph.D.
                      Director of Research
                  Lyndhurst Spinal Cord Centre
                      520 Sutherland Drive
                Toronto ONTARIO Canada  M4G  3V9

                 +1  (416)  422-5551 ext. 3041
                 +1  (416)  422-5216 FAX

            awsmith@utcs.utoronto.ca (e-mail: INTERNET)

.........