2018 — 2019 |
Yao, Jun |
R21Activity Code Description: To encourage the development of new research activities in categorical program areas. (Support generally is restricted in level of support and in time.) |
Development of a Portable Synergy Resistant Emg-Driven Fes Device For Intuitive Control of Grasp and Release During Functional Arm Activities Following Stroke @ Northwestern University At Chicago
PROJECT SUMMARY Prior research has demonstrated that successful hand recovery in individuals with mild stroke is best achieved through an intervention that is both ?intense? and ?functional?. However, in individuals with moderate to severe post stroke hand paresis, current evidence for an effective intervention to regain hand function is almost absent. A possible contributor to poor recovery in these individuals may be the inability to intensively practice with the paretic hand during activities of daily living (ADLs). Many ADLs require the usage of the hand together with the paretic arm. Due to abnormal muscle synergies following stroke, functional arm movements, such as lifting or reaching, often result in unwanted activity in the wrist/finger flexors. This makes voluntary hand opening more difficult. A possible solution to enable these individuals to practice with their paretic hand in a functional context is using rehabilitation devices to assist hand control. Unfortunately, most of currently available portable hand rehabilitation devices do not sufficiently address hand control with the appearance of abnormal arm synergies. Therefore we propose the development of an individualized, synergy resistant, electromyographic (EMG)-driven functional electrical stimulation (FES) device that allows for Reliable and Intuitive control of the hand (ReIn-Hand) while using the paretic arm during lifting and reaching (aim 1). Furthermore, to enable sufficient practice intensity, we propose to develop the ReIn-Hand device with easy-to- use utilities, like portable and user-friendly, such that it can be employed both in the clinic and at home. To implement this, we propose to develop a user customized forearm/hand orthosis that has 1) EMG recording and stimulation electrodes embedded, and 2) an inertial measurement unit to detect the amount of forearm rotation, which will be used to auto-select the recording/stimulation elements in the electrode-array (aim 2). We will use both a lab-based cross-sessional testing and a home-based longitudinal testing to evaluate the performance of the engineering aspects of this project, including 1) the efficiency of algorithms in the mobile device (aim 1), and 2) the success of FHO design, which is expected to reduce the setup time and allow for its reproducible usage at home (aim 2). Furthermore, we will collect usability feedback from both clinicians and stroke participants to direct further modifications of the ReIn-hand device. By the end of this study, a novel EMG-driven FES prototype will be ready for further testing, both in the clinical and home settings. In the near future, it will act as a research tool to investigate whether long-term intensive and functional use of the paretic hand during functional arm movements will increase the hand function in post-stroke individuals with moderate to severe hand paresis.
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2018 — 2021 |
Yao, Jun |
R01Activity Code Description: To support a discrete, specified, circumscribed project to be performed by the named investigator(s) in an area representing his or her specific interest and competencies. |
Effects of Device-Assisted Practice of Activities of Daily Living in a Close-to-Normal Pattern On Upper Extremity Motor Recovery in Individuals With Moderate to Severe Stroke @ Northwestern University At Chicago
Project Summary Up to 85% of stroke survivors have hemiparesis that affects the upper extremity (UE) on one side and usually impacts the hand more than shoulder and elbow. Currently, for mildly impaired stroke survivors (about 20-25%), constraint-induced movement therapy (CIMT) and modified CIMT have been reporting positive results. However, intervention options for a large percentage of stroke survivors, who have moderate to severe impairment, are lacking. Device use has been studied to assist arm/hand function for individuals with moderate to severe stroke. Positive clinical outcomes have been reported, but the quality of the evidence is low. One of the factors that impact the effects of device-assisted interventions is how the device is used. We suggest that devices should assist the practice of Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) in a way that enhances the neural activities related to ?normal? motor patterns, and minimizes undesired irrelevant activities. We call this ?training ADLs in a close-to-normal pattern?. The importance of practicing ADLs has been demonstrated by previous hand/arm interventions in mildly impaired individuals. When success in ADL tasks becomes the primary goal, individuals usually develop compensatory movements and evoke neural activities unrelated to the required movements. As demonstrated in animal models, compensatory neural activities negatively impact neuroplasticity and motor recovery, while close-to- normal training heightened ipsilesional plasticity and enhanced recovery. This has prompted the opinion that interventions should focus on maximizing motor recovery versus task accomplishment via compensation. We aim to investigate the feasibility of minimizing compensation and maximizing motor recovery in the more severely impaired chronic post-stroke population. Specifically, we propose to use devices to address 2 issues that are commonly presented in this population: 1) inability to open the paretic hand, and 2) abnormal UE synergic movement patterns, defined as the abnormal coupling between shoulder, elbow, wrist, and fingers. Recently, we developed and tested an EMG-triggered functional electrical stimulator (ReIn-Hand) to assist voluntary hand use during the practice of ADLs, and found promising preliminary results in gaining finger extension ability and UE motor function. We also have evidence demonstrating that ACT3D robotic modulation of shoulder abduction loading during actively reaching can reduce the UE synergy both acutely and long-term. By combining ReIn-Hand with an ACT3D robot, we propose a reaching-grasping-retrieving-releasing (GR3) intervention in individuals with moderate to severe chronic stroke. This design aims at practicing ADLs with a ?close-to-normal? movement pattern to achieve functional goals while maximizing potential motor recovery. We will measure not only the intervention-induced changes in clinical outcomes, but also in UE kinematics and functional and morphologic neuroplasticity to disentangle motor compensation versus recovery. If successful, the expected results may impact current clinical practice by pushing towards implementing device-assisted practice of ADLs in a close-to-normal pattern and have the potential to benefit a large population.
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2020 — 2023 |
Lovley, Derek (co-PI) [⬀] Jiang, Xiaocheng (co-PI) [⬀] Yao, Jun |
N/AActivity Code Description: No activity code was retrieved: click on the grant title for more information |
Semisynbio-Ii: Toward Biological-Level Power in Information Processing, Storage, Sensing and Bio-Interfacing @ University of Massachusetts Amherst
Nontechnical Abstract: The electrical systems that living organisms employ for bio- computations, such as sensing, intelligent responsiveness, and adaptation, require much less power than currently available man-made electronic systems. This project is developing ultralow-power electronic components and systems for signal retrieval, processing, and storage with power consumption comparable to biological systems. The project takes a fundamentally new approach to improving computing efficiency and storage capacity that can form the basis for self-sustained living or hybrid micro-electronic systems. These electronics that have power requirements similar to biology can naturally interface with biological systems, which is important for potential applications in brain-mimic computation, self-sustained microbots, advanced human-machine interfaces, and prosthetics. The interdisciplinary nature of the research provides an excellent platform for outreach and broadening participation in STEM education. Technical Abstract: Bioinspired electronics, such as sensing, computing, and memory devices, have generated substantial interest because of their potential high efficiency in information retrieval, processing, and storage. Although functional emulation of biological systems has led to many emerging high-performance electronic devices, there is a fundamental difference in the signal amplitude and power requirements. Biological signal processing, such as sensory detection, neural computation, and memory consolidation, uses action potentials (50-100 mV) that approach the thermodynamic limit, whereas conventional electronic systems function with much higher amplitude (> 0.5 V). As a result, the functional emulation of biosystems has not yet reached the ultralow-power information processing found in biosystems, ultimately limiting the integration density or capacity of computation and storage. The goal of the project is to investigate mechanisms and integrate principles in synthetic materials, electronics, and biology to realize computing devices, memory, and sensors that can function at biological-power levels. Borrowing materials and principles from microbes, the general method is to develop hybrid electronic materials, components, and systems. The research team employs specific approaches including: (i) harnessing catalytic principles in microbial systems to lower the functional voltage in electronics, (ii) incorporating bio-derived materials in devices to improve performance, and (iii) creating efficient interfaces between electronics and microbes to enable self-supported systems. These advances are expected to establish the foundation for future ultralow-power information processing, which is fundamentally related to the ultimate computing efficiency and storage capacity.
This SemiSynBio-II program (NSF 20-518) grant supports research on biological signal processing, such as sensory detection, neural computation, and memory consolidation with funding from the Division of Materials Research (DMR) of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences Directorate (MPS), the Division of Molecular and Cellular Biosciences (MCB) of the Biological Sciences Directorate (BIO),the Division of Computing and Communication Foundations (CCF) of the Computer and Information Science and Engineering Directorate (CISE), and the Division of Electrical,Communications and Cyber Systems (ECCS) of the Engineering Directorate (ENG).
This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.
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0.942 |
2021 |
Yao, Jun |
R01Activity Code Description: To support a discrete, specified, circumscribed project to be performed by the named investigator(s) in an area representing his or her specific interest and competencies. |
The Role of the Cortex and Brainstem in Motor Preparation For Proximal and Distal Upper Extremity Movements @ Northwestern University At Chicago
Project Summary During motor preparation, millions of interconnected neurons work together to give rise to a ?planned? movement. We currently know little about the brain circuits and the communication between them in an intact nervous system during the preparation for shoulder or shoulder and hand combined movements. This gap in basic knowledge blocks the investigation of motor deficits in pathological conditions, such as hemiparetic stroke and Parkinson?s. A central movement plan is sent to targeted muscles via descending pathways. In humans, both corticospinal tracts (CSTs) that largely bypass the brainstem, and cortico-reticulospinal tracts (C-RSTs), via the brainstem, project to the upper extremity muscles. Although both proximal muscles and distal flexors receive projections from C-RSTs, distal extensors receive relatively less. Thus, the CSTs remain the primary resource for recruiting distal extensors. Therefore, we hypothesize that in able-bodied adults, distinct communication among various cortical areas, as quantified by cortical-cortical-connectivity (CCC), drives the CST and modulates the brainstem?s excitability to increase or decrease the reliance on the RSTs. This modulation is dependent on motor pathway connectivity (aim 1) and motor demands (aims 2 and 3). Forty able-bodied adults will be recruited to participate in the designed experiments in all three aims. In aim 1, participants will self-initiate hand opening (OPEN) or arm lifting (LIFT) task 5-6 s after a ?ready? sound (80dB); or move as quickly as possible after either a ?go? (80dB) or a ?startling? (115dB) sound that occurs 1.5-3 s after the ?ready? sound. We will quantify the default CCC for the self-initiated motor tasks, and the startle responses following a ?startling? sound compared to a ?go? sound. Because the startling sound activates the reticular formation and releases the prepared movements via RSTs, a short reaction time (< 120ms) will ensure the use of RSTs. Besides, because RSTs branch to multiple spinal segments, increased muscle co-activation patterns will reflect an increased brainstem activity during motor preparation. We expect to demonstrate that preparatory CCCs for OPEN and LIFT are different in healthy adults because shoulder abductors are more strongly innervated by RSTs, and finger extensors are primarily innervated by CSTs. In aims 2 and 3, participants will perform LIFT (aim 2) or hand opening while arm lifting (OPEN+LIFT, aim 3) against various shoulder abduction loads. We will demonstrate that CCCs will show motor demand- induced alterations that either increase or suppress the brainstem?s excitability. The proposed study will establish the default CCCs prior to OPEN, LIFT, or OPEN+LIFT tasks for the first time. We will also demonstrate the neuroanatomical connectivity- and task demand-dependent cortical modulation of the brainstem?s excitability in able-bodied adults. The proposed basic research fits the NINDS's focus for understanding an intact central nervous system's ?normal? workings for movement control. Results are anticipated to pave the way for the future investigation of motor preparation in neuro-pathological conditions.
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