Introduction: Assistive Tech for Spastic Diplegia and Spastic Quadraplegia
I made three assistive tech devices to help people with Spastic Diplegia or Spastic Quadraplegia complete certain computer function. The pedal device with the side to side contact pads is designed to be used for racing games, but can be used for any media that needs multiple inputs. The device that looks like a black box is also meant for media that needs multiple inputs, but is suited for users with control of wrist motor function. The puff device is a device that allows users to make a single precise input by only using their mouth.
Supplies
mouthpiece
triangle stoppers
Step 1: Cutting Out Box Device
Cut out 5 equal sized squares and hot glue 3 of them together into the formation in the photo. Because of the nature of the device, sizing will vary per user based on hand size and wrist thickness. Because of this I encourage doing the first step in multiple sizes to see what best fits the user.
Step 2: Complete the Box
Hot glue tin foil onto all three sides and stick a brass fastener through the aluminum foil (once on each face) so that the tail can be seen on the other side. Now take the last two foam core sides and repeat the foil and brass fastener process on each one before gluing them onto the formation completing the box minus the front.
Step 3: Make the Front
Cut out a rectangle of foam core that will cover about 1/3 of the front of the box. Cut out a half circle and cover the edge in foam tubing to protect the users wrist. Cover the base of the half circle of foam in a strip of foil were the users wrist will sit. Push a brass fastener through the part of the foil close to the edge of the foam core.
Step 4: Glue on the Front
Glue the front piece onto the front of the box.
Step 5: Creating the Ground Connection
Take the tail of the brass fastener from the face and bend it down through the bottom of the box so that the tail now pokes through the bottom. If the tail is touch the foil on the bottom of the box, cut a small hole out for it so that it is not touching anything like shown in the photo.
Step 6: Wire Managment
To help contain some wires, I made loops with zip ties on the right and left side of the box to run wires through.
Step 7: Supports (optional)
Congrats! your box is ready to be wired up, but if you want to stabilize the box follow this step. To stop the box from shifting and to tilt the box to give the user better access, you can cut out triangles and attach them to the bottom of the box to tilt the box at varying angles. Try out a few designs to see what fits your use case the best. I also glued a rectangle on the front of the triangle to hide the wiring that will eventually be put below.
Step 8: 3D Print the Mouthpiece of the Puff Device
3D print the mouthpiece of the device using the CAD model I supplied.
Step 9: Cutting Out the Puff Device
Cut out the foam core part of the device, cutting two sides and a top and bottom. For measurements use the inner dimensions of the 3D printed mouthpiece.
Step 10: Making the Box
Glue three of the pieces into this formation, cutting two square openings opposite one another.
Step 11: Wire 1
Take a piece of copper wire and wire it like in the image, use got glue to secure the wire on the outside
Step 12: Wire 2 and the Conductive Tape
Take a piece of copper wire and glue it to the side, then take a piece of conductive tape and glue it to the wire with the conductive side touching the copper outside of the box and hovering just in front of the copper wire inside, so that when it is slightly pushed it makes contact with the inside wire.
Step 13: Seal Up the Box
Glue to final side of the box onto the top completing the box.
Step 14: Put the Two Together
Now stick tubing into the 3D printed piece and slide it onto the foam core piece that you just made. Make sure the side the tube is coming out of is the side of the end of the conductive tape.
Step 15: Velcro
Cut out two pieces of Velcro that will over both sides of the 3D piece. Glue them onto the sides. Now cut two more pieces of the other side of the Velcro and glue it onto the ends of the foam tubing. Wrap the foam tubing around your head in a U shape and place the Puff module in-between, making sure the Velcro grabs. This now completes the Puff module and you are ready to wire it up, adjust the foam tubing so that the tube the user blows into is in the correct position.
Step 16: Begin Pedals
Cut out two 5 inch by 10 inch pieces of thick foam core.
Step 17: Insert Metal Plates
Cut two 2 inch by 5 inch sheet metal pieces and insert it into the middle of one end of each of the pieces. I secured them using bolts but I suggest using hot glue.
Step 18: Adding the Springs
On both pedals cut two 1/4 inch holes close to the edge were the metal sheet is. These holes should let you have clear access to the metal sheet. Then place a spring size of your choosing on top of the hole and glue them to the foam core.
Step 19: Preparing for the Dowel
Make a hole through the thick piece of both pedals for the dowel to go through.
Step 20: Making the Top of the Pedal
Cut two 5 inch by 11 inch pieces of thin foam core. Make holes in them in the same places you made the holes for the springs. Take 4 pieces of copper wire about 3 inches long and make them into an L shape. Thread the copper through the foam like the cross section image above. Make sure to have to horizontal piece of copper go out the part of pedal facing away from the user.
Step 21: Connect the Wires
For both pedals, bend the horizontal copper wires towards each other and wrap them together in aluminum foil so that when you alligator clip the foil both wires can send a current.
Step 22: Putting the Two Sides Together
Glue the bottom of the thin piece to the bottom of the thick piece, with copper wire threading through the springs and hovering just over the sheet metal. If the copper and sheet metal are touching clip off 1/4 an inch off the end so that there is some extra space. You can add some duck tape or duct tape straps to the top of the thin piece for extra grip for the users foot.
Step 23: Preparing the Input Pads
Cut out 8 1/2 inch by 2 1/2 inch pieces of thin foam core and make a hold for the dowel to go through. Glue one side of each piece with foil. Print 3 3D triangle pieces to go on both ends of the dowel and in between the pedals.
Step 24: Putting It All Together
Glue one non foil side of the pads to each side of each pedal, making sure to line up the holes for the dowels. Then take 2 triangles and glue one non foil side pad to one side of each triangle. For the last triangle glue one non foil side pad to both sides of the triangle. Keep checking that your dowel holes are lined up. Take the dowel and slide the triangle with pads on both sides to the middle. Glue it into position and slide the pedals onto either side, now take the last two triangles and slide them onto the ends of the dowel with the foil side pointing inwards. Glue the two outsides triangles into position. Now to keep the whole thing from sliding on hardwood I suggest adding hot glue to the bottom of the triangles, or if on carpet glue a piece of the hook Velcro onto the bottom of the triangles. You are now ready to wire.
Step 25: Final Step
