A novel accelerometer tilt switch device for switch actuation in the patient with profound disability.
We describe the design and operation of a new switch that can be operated by patients with severely limited movement. The basis for the switch is an inexpensive single-chip accelerometer device. The switch responds to a relatively rapid rotation of the active components. We have ensured that the sensitivity of the switch device is adjustable over a wide range. The device automatically adjusts for changes in attitude of the device that result from a patient changing posture. We show that the device can operate in a wide range of attitudes. We describe 2 case studies in which the switch was successfully used as a head tilt switch.
Perring
Stephen
S
Poole Hospital NHS Trust, Dorset, UK. sperring@poole-tr.swest.nhs.uk
Summers
Anthony
A
Jones
Emma L
EL
Bowen
Frances J
FJ
Hart
Katharine
K
D000054:Acceleration; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001927:Brain Diseases / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D016287:Computer Peripherals; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004867:Equipment Design; D005260:Female; D019416:Head Movements / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008838:Microcomputers; D011187:Posture; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D014584:User-Computer Interface