Access-H20 Faucet for Spinal Cord Injury
Condition: Spinal Cord Injury Cervical
MeSH terms: Spinal Cord Injuries; Wounds and Injuries
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The Phase I SBIR objective is to design, develop & demonstrate feasibility of Access-H2OTM, a
      sensor driven smart faucet to enable and empower independent drinking and grooming for
      individuals impacted by spinal cord injury (SCI). SCI severely impacts functional
      independence & ability to perform activities of daily living (ADLs). Greater function is
      typically lost with higher, more complete injuries. More specifically, those impacted above
      C5-C7 have impaired upper extremities, which limits the use of arms and hands for activities
      such as eating, drinking, and grooming. Functional access to water for these individuals
      becomes a key to increased independence and successful completion of ADLs. Therefore,
      commercialization of smart fountain faucets, which can automatically deliver water in target
      temperature, force, & nozzle setting for a specific ADL, has the potential to empower
      individuals with SCI for greater independence & and improved quality of life. Subjects with
      SCI and controls were recruited to test the functionality of the faucet which includes eye
      gaze, voice, and motion sensors to control the water stream for drinking, rinsing, and
      grooming.
    

Detailed description: 
      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.
    

Intervention name(s): Access-H2O faucet
Intervention type(s): Device
Intervention description(s): The assigned invention was developed to test the feasibility of the prototype of the Access-H2O faucet by assessing whether subjects can activate the faucet to control water outputs via the motion sensor, eye gaze, and a speech speaker. To activate the faucet via the motion sensor, each subject was asked to place his or her hand near the motion sensor. To activate the faucet via the eye gaze, each subject was asked to look directly at the eye gaze sensor. To activate the faucet via the speech speaker, each subject was asked to speak to the speaker. Each subject performed the same function three times. The water from the faucet was used for drinking, rinsing, and grooming.
Intervention model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)
Primary purpose: Device Feasibility