Tactile sensing fabrics for detecting impairments in leprosy patients

• Published in: 7th International Conference on Appropriate Healthcare Technologies for Developing Countries p. 24
• Main Authors: Paul, S.K, Rekha, V, Sivarasu, S
• Format: Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Stevenage, UK IET 2012; The Institution of Engineering & Technology
• Subjects: Biology and medical computing; Biomedical measurement and imaging; Biophysics of neurophysiological processes; Cellular biophysics; Intelligent sensors; Interactive-input devices; Patient care and treatment; Sensing and detecting devices; Tactile sensors; cellular biophysics; limbs; disease; tactile sensors; biomedical equipment; touch (physiological); smart fabrics; diseases; muscle cells; nerve cells; patient rehabilitation; fabrics; patient rehabilitation device; impairment detection; gloves; muscle; leprosy patients; intelligent sensors; neurophysiology; medical computing; tactile sensing fabrics; data gloves
• ISBN: 9781849196802; 184919680X
• DOI: 10.1049/cp.2012.1461

There has been a rising need for developing a rehabilitation device for patients with leprosy, as most of the present day approach is towards the eradication of the disease. To assist and monitor the extent of damage of a nerve and muscle cells, a new fabric embedded tactile sensor incorporated in gloves and other smart fabrics are used. By incorporating tactile sensing in the gloves, and recording the information off the gloves, the results were evident in showing the effect of prolonged usage of any particular part of the limbs. (6 pages)