News Release
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February 21, 2006
TenXsys Inc. Partners With Boise State University to Test
Sensors That Could Help Rehabilitate Amputees
New technology could help soldiers who have lost limbs return
to duty if they wish to do so
Eagle-based TenXsys Inc. will team with Boise State University to test new
technologies that could help U.S. military personnel who have lost limbs to
be able to effectively use prosthetics and even return to duty if they wish
to do so.
The U.S. Department of Defense is funding the $100,000 initial contract
through its Small Business Innovation Research Program. The project supports
DOD efforts to allow soldiers with prosthetics to return to active duty if
they are both willing and capable.
The technology also has many other potential applications, including
training athletes and monitoring patients in a wide range of conditions.
TenXsys will work with researchers in Boise State�s Center for Orthopaedic
and Biomechanics Research (COBR) in the College of Engineering to test small
sensors that can be worn on the body to measure movement patterns and energy
use. The sensors developed by TenXsys could be used in rehabilitation of
amputees by providing instant feedback about subtle balance problems or
fatigue.
�A person getting used to an artificial arm or leg faces a real challenge,�
said TenXsys Chief Operating Officer Layne Simmons. �You can injure yourself
through overexertion, or balance problems. Our system can monitor a person
in real time and help them safely through this recovery and adjustment
process.�
Boise State researchers will conduct studies using the center�s
state-of-the-art computer animation technology to validate that the TenXsys
sensors are functioning effectively, said Michelle Sabick, a professor of
mechanical engineering at Boise State and co-director of COBR.
Some of the studies involve comparing data collected from the center�s large
in-house sensing systems with the data from the TenXsys portable sensors
when volunteer subjects perform specific movements, such as walking or
jumping. Sabick is working with Boise State kinesiology professor Chad
Harris on these studies, which are expected to begin later this spring after
final approvals are in place.
Known as SMART, or Sensor Monitoring and Relay Transmission, the TenXsys
system is designed to be worn unobtrusively. It will transfer information by
radio telemetry to a nearby computer for interpretation.
The DOD awarded $100,000 as part of an initial six-month contract, but both
TenXsys and Boise State representatives say they are hopeful that further
phases of the contract will be approved that will provide significantly more
funding.
The collaboration between TenXsys and Boise State brings many benefits to
both organizations, according to both Simmons and Sabick. The Eagle-based
company gains access to faculty expertise and an opportunity to test its
sensors using the multi-million dollar instrumentation in the university�s
research center, Simmons said. The partnership helps Boise State build
stronger ties with local industries and it also provides new research
opportunities for both faculty and graduate and undergraduate students,
Sabick added.
�Partnerships such as this one enable our students to gain hands-on research
experience that will help prepare them for future jobs in industry,� Sabick
said.
The Center for Orthopaedic and Biomechanics Research at Boise State is a
collaborative effort between the departments of Mechanical Engineering and
Kinesiology, along with local clinicians with an interest in performing and
supporting biomechanics research. The center was founded in June 2003 to
support research and promote collaboration in biomechanics and biomedical
engineering. More information is at
http://coen.boisestate.edu/cobr/.
TenXsys is a privately held corporation headquartered in Eagle. It produces
a wide range of radio telemetry-based products and services. More
information is at www.tenxsys.com.
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Contact: Michelle Sabick, Department of Mechanical Engineering, (208)
426-5653, msabick@boisestate.edu
Layne Simmons, TenXsys Inc. (208) 938-8110,
layne@tenxsys.com
Media Contact: Janelle Brown, University Communications, (208)
426-1790, jbrown2@boisestate.edu
Boise State University is the largest institution of higher education in
Idaho with about 18,600 students and 2,200 faculty and staff. More than 190
undergraduate, graduate, doctoral and technical degrees are offered within
eight colleges. A metropolitan university located in the capital city, Boise
State is committed to life-enhancing research, teaching excellence and
public service.
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Last reviewed on Wednesday, January 03, 2007