Abstract
Intermittent vesical self-catheterisation is a legitimate and safe technique that has been reported since the 1970s as a solution for the treatment and prevention of vesical urinary complications resulting from spinal cord injury. This practice, using clean technology, has been asserting itself as one of the best alternatives for people with neurogenic bladder. However, adherence is not complete due to some barriers imposed to this procedure by the injured, with emphasis on positioning, agility, and visual impairment. The solutions presented today to support self-catheterisation are expensive equipment that does not allow patients with advanced levels of spasticity to have their autonomy. A biomechanical support device was developed to aid self-catheterisation, mainly aimed at women with spasticity, filling the gap in the existing products. Despite the main objective of self-catheterisation, the system’s design made it possible to quantify the strength of the adductors for the sitting position during the execution of the adduction movement, particularly relevant for spastic patients. The device’s production was entirely carried out using the FDM methodology, with 3D printers, and its design and operation were thought to overcome the physical and psychological barriers imposed by the users. The system was first tested with a group of healthy volunteers to obtain a pattern of the adductors force in a sitting position and after with a group of spastic volunteers. The obtained data allows to compare the adductor force data and optimize the system, with particular functionalities for spastic patients, with the implementation of a motorised version and a visualization camera. The system, its developments, and results obtained are present and discussed.
Highlights
Spinal cord injury is a syndrome that makes a person impaired in motor, sensory, visceral, sexual, and autonomic functions (Assis and Faro, 2011) [1]
Gerace (1994) [8] proposed a set adapted for use in self-catheterisation procedures, consisting of a base with a mounted mirror and a pair of claws that are placed on the legs
The present work involved developing and studying a biomechanical device to support the self-catheterisation of spastic patients
Summary
Spinal cord injury is a syndrome that makes a person impaired in motor, sensory, visceral, sexual, and autonomic functions (Assis and Faro, 2011) [1]. Baczkoski (1981) [5] published a device with a mirror designed to free both patient’s hands when the patient needs to carry out personal hygiene and allows viewing parts of the body that are difficult to access under these circumstances. This device will enable patients some autonomy regarding their cleaning, dressing, and catheterisation This set consists of a mirror that is fixed by mounting elements of an adjustable plate, which has the option of being attached to the lower part of the patient’s leg. These solutions are intended for patients with agility and strength in the lower limbs and at least in one of the upper limbs Following these developments, Gerace (1994) [8] proposed a set adapted for use in self-catheterisation procedures, consisting of a base with a mounted mirror and a pair of claws that are placed on the legs.
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