12
UWI TODAY
– SUNDAY 5 NOVEMBER, 2017
RESEARCH
Kiran Ragoo refuses to be set
back
by a physical impairment.
Following the surgical removal
of a tumour on the left side
of his brain in January 2013,
this aspiring Mechanical
Engineering student struggled
with reduced motor functions
on the right side of his body.
While physiotherapy
helped, he still walks with a
limp due to a compromised
right foot instep. There is
limited mobility in his right
hand, preventing him from
opening his fingers, writing and typing. Undaunted by his
physical challenges, Kiran began his mechanical engineering
studies atThe UWI St. Augustine in September 2013. With the
help of ASDLU at UWI (the Academic Support/Disabilities
Liaison Unit), he obtained a sound recorder to assist with
classes and received extra time for exams. He graduated in 2016.
Armedwith that indefatigable spirit, Kiran is now applying
his intellect to help others like himself. He is the team leader
of the Assistive Device Research Group convened by Dr.
Chris Maharaj, a Senior Lecturer within the Department
of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering; Professor
Boppana Chowdary, the Department Head, and two other
Mechanical Engineering graduates serving as associate
professionals.
With technology transforming virtually every aspect of
our lives – how we communicate, socialize, learn, travel, shop
and do business – one of the biggest emerging applications is
in the provision of health care.
The World Health Organization defines assistive
devices and technologies as “those whose primary purpose
is to maintain or improve an individual’s functioning and
independence to facilitate participation and to enhance overall
well-being.”
Some of these devices are universally known and
used: wheelchairs, prostheses, hearing aids, visual aids, and
specialized computer software and hardware that increase
mobility, hearing, vision, or communication capabilities.
Access to assistive technologies is limited in low and
middle income countries, with just an estimated 5-15% of
people benefiting. Closer to home, the statistics are not much
different; and State assistance has dried up with the economic
decline.
“Previously people would have applied and received
assistance from the State for prosthetics and assistive devices
but now they are unable to obtain funding from Social
Services…They would have gone to foreign institutions to have
prosthetic devices made,” explained Dr. Maharaj.
With Kiran as his inspiration, Dr. Maharaj assembled
a team who could respond to the need for easier access to
prosthetic devices.
“With budgets being slashed, we saw the need to create this
research team…we decided to develop our own capability, our
own intellectual property and reduce the spending on imported
devices,” Dr. Maharaj said. “What we are doing is pioneering the
manufacture of locally developed assistive technology devices
for persons affected by health conditions.”
With Kiran as their first test subject, the team set about
developing assistive devices to restore some of his lost right
armmotor functions. Over four months, they fine-tuned their
ideas, developing concepts, designing the prototypes and then
tested the devices. 3D printed devices were developed to assist
the right arm with writing/typing.
Two devices weremade for writing and two for typing.The
writing device that consisted of a two-ring connected design
(where one finger fits into one ring and the writing utensil into
the other) was 12%quicker andmore comfortable thanwithout
any aid on the right hand.
With respect to typing, the design, consisting of a ring with
pointer (with three fingers fitting inside the ring), was found to
be 43% faster than using no assistive device on the right hand.
Kiran uses these assistive devices to improve his
productivity and quality of life.
“Previously he could only type with one hand and now he
uses both. With writing he is now trying to regain use of the
right hand and this will improve,” Dr. Maharaj said.
Kiran is the lead author of the paper, “The design and
development of 3D printed writing and typing assistive
devices,” which was published in collaboration with Professor
Chowdary, Dr. Maharaj, and Mr. Vashish Sirjoosingh, in the
journal, “
Assistive Technology.”
His vision is to make affordably priced and aesthetically
pleasing 3D printed prosthetics and accessories available to
those who would not otherwise be able to obtain them.
“Current prosthetics in T&T are ugly. I want tomake them
much more attractive,” he said.
Kiran does not consider himself having a disability and
says his only fear was getting employed in an industry.
“Safety is a big issue in mechanical engineering. Shaking
of hands is a personal fear. I put out my right hand as normal
but also use the left hand to support it and make it warmer.”
He encouraged physically challenged persons to never
give up.
“Even if you have lost a limb, it’s not the end of the world.
There are opportunities out there to help you stand out in a
positive manner.”
While applications for financial assistance have beenmade
to the European Development Fund and The UWI, the work
of the Assistive Devices Research Team is as yet unfunded. Dr.
Maharaj is especially grateful to a local company, Qualitech
Machining Services Ltd, which created Kiran’s prosthetic
devices with a 3D printer.
“We had to make do with what we have. In this case we
relied on QualiTech to produce the part and the Associate
Professionals’ intellectual capability. We have links with
companies and other departments in Trinidad and have asked
them to be part of this philanthropic effort,” Dr. Maharaj said.
The research team is nowworkingwith a second candidate:
a former high-ranking national pool player who suffered a
debilitating illness, resulting in loss of function in one of his
arms and the inability to play.
“These are bespoke customdevices and every candidate is
unique. For the second candidate, most likely we will use 3D
printing again. We also need the HR capability which comes
from our Department. These are scholarship recipients, now
graduates from Mechanical Engineering, who are required to
give back a year of service to any Government or State agency.
At this juncture, we did not need any medical input, but if there
is a case where we need medical advice we will seek.”
For this team, the next steps are clear: With their work
published, they are nowproceeding with developing prosthetics
for the second candidate. Then they want to start 3D printing
their own prosthetic devices. Through an arrangement with
the Solid Waste Management Company (SWMCOL), they
can obtain waste plastics at no cost and they have applied for
funding to purchase a 3D printer.
“Our longer-term goal is to move to over and under the
knee prosthetics. The main intent is to help those in the low
income brackets. However, if there are members of the upper
income population who want to use our capabilities, we have
no problem with that, as long as they make a contribution,”
Dr. Maharaj said.
If you need this kind of support,
please contact
Dr. Chris Maharaj
at
and
Helping Hands
Team Devises Assistive
Technology Devices
B Y S H E R R Y A N N S I N G H
Kiran Ragoo
