Interface tool for human communication to integrate psychophysical inputs with rapid manufacturing technologies

Abstract

People with Special Needs (PSN) are people conscious or unconscious with limited motor skills (possibly owing to a post-surgical situation). A large number of these persons have problems in body areas in contact with support surfaces. They do not have the capacity for autonomous movement, which results in excessive skin pressure and restricted blood circulation. This can lead to the development of pressure ulcers (PU). These people do not have the opportunity to communicate their needs to qualified care givers/helpers in the area to obtain appropriate products based on recent technologies. It is important to have integrated tools which allow PSN to interact with the technologies that surround them. This system permits strategies that allow personal psychophysical data to be analysed by a specialised technician (highlighting the user's verbal and nonverbal signs), originating data that can be of assistance in the process of conversion into 3D computer aided design (CAD) models. From these models is expected a shape/base with better pressure distribution and able to be manufactured using technologies such as rapid manufacturing. This analysis considers user communication with a specialised technique based on pressure measurements, dynamic body posture and comfort/discomfort as verbal or nonverbal signs. The aim is to create an integration system that induces human communication, as a bridge between psychophysical data and a technique to use rapid manufacturing technologies for highly personalised product development.