The approach to the wheelchair prototype is as much medical as technical. In order to capture the electrical signals from the brain to distinguish the direction in which the user wishes to move, the degree students used a helmet with electrodes. Once harnessed, they are sent to the computer via an analogue-digital converter (ADC).

Once the signals are on the computer they must be classified to see how the patient wishes to move. To do so, a support vector machine or SVM classifier was used by means of machine learning techniques. These artificial intelligence techniques allow machines to analyse and recognize patterns of behaviour and acquire strategies for problem solving using examples, analogously to how the human mind would do so.

Finally, after translating the signals and knowing where the user wishes to move, the results are transmitted to an actuator. So far, a robot has been used pertaining to the Synthetic, Perceptive, Emotive and Cognitive Systems (SPECS) research group, but the engineering students plan to replace it with a wheelchair motor.

Support of the University and external companies

To carry out this project, the students have received external aid from companies such as Neuroelectrics Barcelona, which supplied an electroencephalogram (EEG) system to pick up the brain’s electrical impulses. Now the students are in the phase of building a new one with the Arduino system.

Similarly, the University has also provided all the assistance necessary to be able to see the project through. One of the most important tools of the work has been the 3D printer recently obtained by the Polytechnic School (ESUP), which has allowed the students to be able to print the helmet that captures the brain signals, previously designed by the students themselves.

Following the creation of the initial prototype, the students are seeking financial support outside the University to build a high-fidelity model. It would use better, less noisy electronic plates, scale engines and batteries to achieve a wireless connection, as well as strengthen the communication campaign. So, they have begun a round of crowdfunding on Kickstarter, for which they need 12,500 euros in order to go ahead with the project.

Other projects made by students

The project is part of the subject “Introduction to Medical Devices and their Design” of the fourth year of Biomedical Engineering at UPF. Five other groups of students have developed different medical devices, spanning everything from the main idea to the creation of a prototype that comes to market.

The other proposals that have been developed are: the right valve for the right heart, a cardiac ablation training device (the two coordinated with Hospital Clínic de Barcelona); a bracelet to prevent the sudden death of new-born babies; a system of valves for patients with gastroesophageal reflux disease, and an optimization of the design of tracheotomy tubes, in which the surgical company ATOS Medical is collaborating.