This RERC brings together the rehabilitation engineering research programs from New Jersey Institute of Technology and Rutgers University, and the clinical expertise of the Children’s Specialized Hospital. This collaborative center addresses a roster of three research, three development, and several training projects will bring new technologies to bear on serious problems faced by children with orthopedic disabilities.

News and Updates

RESNA 2008
The RERC on Technology for Children with Orthopedic Disabilities just got back from RESNA 2008! We had a great time making connections and talking to visitors about our research.

Neurorehabilitation and Robotics
- System feasibility trial is finished with two control twins ( 5 years old). December 2007
- System feasibility trial is finished with two hemiplegic children (9 years old and 16 years old). January 2008
- Three weeks of pilot study with subjects at Children Specialized Hospital. June 2008
- Two sets of three weeks study with subject at Camp Open Arms set to begin in July 2008 and conclude in August 2008

Control of Osteoporosis
- Trial with two healthy subjects complete. Verified mechanical design. August 2007 and December 2007
- Thirteen week pilot study with two subjects at CSH in Mountainside, NJ began May 2008 and set to conclude mid-August 2008
- Twelve month study with subjects at Fanwood Preschool in Fanwood, NJ set to begin in July 2008 and conclude in June 2009

Liberty Science Center Training Workshops for Young Adults on the Field of Assistive Technology through the Development of an Adaptable Video Game
The collaboration with the Liberty Science Center is an integral part of our dissemination activity for the RERC on Technology for Children with Orthopedic Disabilities.

New Jersey Institute of Technology, Liberty Science Center, and Children’s Specialized Hospital have organized two events, thus far, October 2007 and May 2008. The next 3-day event will be in the fall of 2008.

Research and Development Areas

The focus of this RERC is centered around three research studies and three development projects listed below.

Neurorehabilitation and Robotics
Intensive robot therapy using haptic and virtual reality interfaces will be beneficial in arm rehabilitation in children with hemipalegia. [More]

Toward a New Understanding of Spasticity
Work on this project is devoted to developing an deep understanding of the roles of spasticity and motor control in limiting the function of children with cerebral palsy and traumatic brain injury.The core areas of research are understanding spastic effects in passive, isometric, and coordinated movements. The development of models has lead to greater understanding for use in interventions such as vestibular stimulation [More]

Control of Osteoporosis
Active standing, which simulates the gait cycle, achieves the necessary equilibrium of osteoclast and osteoblast activity to prevent osteoporosis. [More]

Wheelchair-Mounted Manipulator
Extend reaching and grasping activities in an unstructured world with this six degree-of-freedom manipulator. [More]

Virtual Reality Rehabilitation and Recreation
A video game platform allows for rapid protyping and customizable games for persons with disabilities. [More]

Sensory Motor Enhancement
Skin deformation is an alternative method for sensing muscle activation. [More]