TEDx Talks - Engineering Independence After Limb Loss | Kylie Wright | TEDxUniversityofMississippi
The speaker highlights the challenges faced by lower limb amputees, particularly in performing everyday tasks like showering. Balance is a complex process, and amputees are at a disadvantage due to the loss of a limb, which affects their center of mass and balance. This can lead to falls, which are dangerous and potentially life-altering for amputees. The speaker, inspired by a friend named Nikki who hadn't stood in a shower for over two years, embarked on a senior design project to address this issue. Despite advancements in prosthetics, there was no solution for amputees to stand in the shower without a chair. The speaker and a partner designed a device called the Antler, which is adjustable, portable, and allows amputees to stand safely in the shower while washing their residual limb. This device not only provides convenience but also restores a sense of normalcy and independence to users. The project, initially a class assignment, gained recognition and has the potential to impact thousands of lives.
Key Points:
- Balance is crucial and complex, relying on multiple systems; amputees face unique challenges due to limb loss.
- Falls in the shower are common and dangerous, especially for amputees, leading to further health complications.
- The Antler device allows lower limb amputees to stand safely in the shower, improving independence and quality of life.
- The project started as a university assignment and evolved into a potential solution for thousands of amputees.
- Small ideas can lead to significant impacts, as demonstrated by the development and success of the Antler device.
Details:
1. 🚿 The Challenge of Showering for Amputees
- For millions of people with lower extremity limb loss, showering is a significant challenge, unlike the general population who shower daily without much thought.
- Individuals with limb loss must balance on one leg, often with their eyes closed, increasing the risk of slipping, wobbling, or falling.
- On average, people spend about 90 seconds in the shower with their eyes closed, during activities like washing hair or relaxing, which can be particularly hazardous for amputees.
- To mitigate these risks, adaptive solutions such as shower chairs, non-slip mats, and handrails can enhance safety.
- Addressing these challenges can significantly improve the quality of life and independence for amputees, reducing anxiety and the risk of injury.
2. 🤔 Understanding Balance Complexities
- The average time someone can balance on one leg with their eyes closed is only about 10 seconds, highlighting the challenge of maintaining balance without visual cues.
- Approximately 235,000 people visit the emergency room each year due to fall-related injuries that occur in the bathroom, according to the CDC, emphasizing the prevalence and danger of falls in everyday environments.
- For amputees, falls can lead to serious consequences such as additional surgeries, higher levels of amputation, and extended recovery periods, underscoring the critical need for preventive measures like shower chairs.
- Balance is a complex process involving the integration of visual information, signals from joints and muscles, and the vestibular system in the inner ear, which work together to maintain stability.
3. 💔 The Emotional and Physical Impact of Limb Loss
- Amputees face significant challenges due to the lack of vital information that the brain uses to maintain balance and stability, likened to a vehicle's lane sensing technology.
- The leg contributes approximately 17% to a person's body weight, meaning a 150-pound individual loses about 26 pounds from one side, affecting their center of mass and causing instability.
- The impact of limb loss extends beyond the physical aspect, indicating a deeper emotional and psychological effect.
- Psychologically, limb loss can lead to issues such as depression, anxiety, and identity crisis, as individuals adjust to a new body image and lifestyle.
- An example of the emotional impact is an amputee who must relearn daily activities, which can lead to feelings of frustration and loss of independence.
- Support groups and therapy are crucial in helping amputees navigate these changes, providing a platform for sharing experiences and coping strategies.
4. 🗣️ Personal Story: Nikki's Struggles
- Amputees face a high risk of mental health challenges, including depression, PTSD, and suicidal ideations.
- A significant statistic highlights that nearly 16% of traumatic amputees attempt suicide, compared to just 0.5% of the general population.
- The personal story of Nikki, who lives with limb loss, illustrates the profound impact of these struggles on daily life and mental well-being.
- Nikki's experience underscores the importance of mental health support and tailored interventions for individuals with limb loss.
- Nikki has faced significant challenges in adjusting to life after limb loss, including battling feelings of isolation and depression.
- The integration of mental health resources in rehabilitation programs is crucial for improving outcomes and quality of life for amputees.
5. 🎓 From School Project to Innovative Solution
- At 22 years old, Nikki had not been able to stand in the shower for over two years after amputation, highlighting a significant gap in prosthetic capabilities.
- Biomedical engineering students at the University of Mississippi are required to complete a senior design project, encouraging innovative solutions to existing medical device challenges.
- Current prosthetic advancements include microprocessors in knees and ankles that adjust to walking rates and sensors in prosthetic arms for muscle detection, yet no solution exists for amputees to stand in showers.
- Prosthetics are often costly, not waterproof, and lack insurance coverage, presenting a barrier to accessibility and everyday functionality for amputees.
- The student team developed a waterproof prosthetic attachment that enables amputees to safely stand in the shower, addressing both the cost and usability challenges.
- This project not only provided a practical solution for Nikki but also exemplified the potential of educational projects to drive meaningful innovation.
6. 🦿 Developing 'The Antler': A New Hope for Amputees
- Waterproof covers for prosthetics exist but are unreliable, similar to taping a garbage bag over a cast, risking water entering the prosthetic.
- Wearing a prosthetic prevents proper hygiene of the residual limb, which needs washing like feet, especially after wearing liners, socks, and a socket.
- A new device was designed to allow lower limb amputees to stand safely in the shower and wash their residual limb, addressing hygiene issues.
- The device is adjustable, portable, and comfortable, offering practical benefits for amputees.
- The development process included comprehensive measurements, market research, material research, and CAD design, leading to a 3D printed prototype.
7. 🐾 A Design Inspired by Friendship
- The Antler device is lightweight, easy to use, and features adjustable height, making it accessible for users with lower limb amputation.
- Nikki's direct involvement in the design process ensured the device reflected her personal preferences, including her favorite color and design elements.
- Named in honor of Nikki's service dog, the device underscores the personal connection and inspiration behind its creation.
- The device has significantly improved Nikki's quality of life, restoring her independence and sense of self.
- The success of Antler led the creators to win an award in a business model competition, highlighting its potential impact.
- Initially a class project, the device demonstrated potential to benefit thousands, prompting further development efforts.
- The design not only reflects personal inspiration but also incorporates ergonomic and functional elements to enhance user experience.
8. 🌟 The Power of Small Ideas
- A small idea intended to help one friend evolved to help thousands, demonstrating the potential of seemingly insignificant ideas.
- Small ideas can lead to significant impacts, and should not be overlooked even if they initially appear minor.
- Reevaluation of problems that seem insignificant could lead to innovative solutions with widespread effects.