In this section I will continue to edit more information as my research continues, as well as general updates of my research/thesis status.

Please stay tuned...

Update 04/09/14:

Link to my thesis: https://tspace.library.utoronto.ca/handle/1807/42920

Update 10/7/13:

I have completed my two years! Time flew by, sorry for the lack of updates. My thesis has been accepted by the School of Graduate Studies at the University of Toronto, and I successfully defended my thesis on Friday September 20th, 2013! As soon as the public links become available, under the common license, I will post it here!

Update 4/08/13:

A bit late but the title for my research project is: Development of a Sensory Feedback System for Lower-limb Prostheses using Vibrotactile Haptics. 

Abstract:

Following lower-limb amputation, patients suffer from sensory loss within the prosthesis/residuum complex. This leads to diminished proprioception and balance which are important toward achieving safe and efficient mobility. Despite the multitude of technological advances in the prosthetic field, providing haptic sensory feedback in lower-limb prostheses as a means for augmenting proprioception and postural balance has not been widely explored. Such systems have the potential to improve rehabilitation outcomes including better functional usage of lower-limb prostheses to achieve a higher quality of life for the prosthetic users.

The purpose of this study is to develop and test a robust vibrotactile sensory feedback system for lower-limb amputees to augment feedback during complex balance and movement tasks. Design parameters associated with the haptic feedback system include: the number of required stimulators, optimal location of stimulators, and frequency and magnitude levels of the stimulation signals. Key outcome measures for this study are the response time and response accuracy of the subjects to the different stimulator configurations. Long term goals of this study are to eventually implement the novel vibrotactile sensory feedback system in lower-limb prostheses to improve proprioception and balance. 

Update 2/6/12:

  Narrowing down my research project, it will either be focused on developing a complex analytical criteria for finding the Center of Pressure for dynamic movement of amputees wearing prosthetics, or the development of an instrument that can detect the terminal swing phase time of the prosthetic worn by the amputees and provide some from of haptic biofeedback. Have begun literature research to get a better understanding of these biomechanics related topics.

My Supervisor is Dr. Jan Andrysek, Assistant Professor. and full time research scientist at Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilatation Hospital. He is the developer of a novel low cost artificial knee prosthetic for transfemoral amputees. His research interests include: Rehabilitation engineering, prosthetics, orthotics, human gait, gait analysis techniques, biomechanical modeling of gait, assistive devices.

You may visit his full profile by clicking HERE.