A wearable device for tremor reduction
Level - GradEssential tremor is the most common movement disorder. It is often inherited as a familial trait but can occur sporadically as well. It occurs in 1-5% of people over 40 years old. Symptoms are limited to tremulous or shaking motions of the hands, arms, legs, trunk, head or voice. Typically, the involuntary motions are most prominent when performing certain activities such as writing or holding utensils. This disorder is often misdiagnosed as Parkinson's disease. However, unlike Parkinson's disease there are generally no tremors at rest or other neurological symptoms such as slowness, stiffness, imbalance and immobility.
This disorder is commonly treated with medications, which can provide substantial relief in many patients. For those patients who have disabling symptoms and do not respond to medications there are now surgical procedures available which have an excellent track record of safety and effectiveness. However, in many cases the effects of ET are intermittent and occur under predictable circumstances, so patients choose to go untreated rather than subject themselves to the risks of neurosurgery. One potential solution is a wearable device that somehow mechanically or electrically alters or minimizes the deleterious effects of tremor.
Develop a preliminary design of such a wearable device. Justify the engineering or design feasibility and quantify the expected functional efficacy of the proposed design.
Resource People
Lena Ting (lting@emory.edu)
Steve DeWeerth steve.deweerth@ece.gatech.edu
Bob Lee robert.lee@bme.gatech.edu