03_PT Tour (event date: 1/9/15)

Context: My group (and other BME) was given a tour/review of Harding PT school's equipment, facilities, and recovery devices. Physical therapist Anita Killens showed us around the facilities and gave useful insight on patient/trainer experiences with the current devices and equipment as well as aspects of the current technology that could be improved.

Helpful Ideas Anita and groups brainstormed:

Hand plant/weight shift device

Finger tensioner/extender; forearm equivalent

Shoulder assist

Scoliosis back support/breathing ability

Leg splint with on/off capability

Sit-to-stand back corrector: not leaning forward far enough: "nose-to-toes"

With tensioner devices, Anita expressed the importance of having a balance of patient independence and device assistance. Too much device assistance results in muscle/limb degradation.