Quadriplegic Friendly Navigation Using Mouth Stylus

The article discusses the challenges faced by quadriplegics in using technology and highlights various assistive technologies that can help them navigate computers, smartphones, and other devices. The technologies mentioned include adaptive stylus, Tecla shield, mouth stylus, and Pogo stylus, which allow quadriplegics to control their devices with ease. Additionally, the article touches on advancements in brain-computer interfaces that could potentially enable quadriplegics to walk again. Furthermore, it emphasizes the benefits of these technologies in enhancing independence, self-confidence, and overall quality of life for quadriplegics.

Quadriplegics
Q1.
Quadriplegics are the people who are partially or completely paralysed. In this paralysis
their both arms and legs are paralysed. This paralytic attack occurs due to an injury in
spinal cord or any disease in the region of the neck.
Quadriplegia is a disease which is also Tetraplegia, that is further defined as a state of
paralysis which is caused due to illness or injury. This illness or injury can result in
partial or total loss of limbs control. Paraplegia is similar to quadriplegia but in this case
arms of a human are not affected Tetraparesis or quadriparesis, on the other hand, means
muscle weakness affecting all four limbs [6].
There are many causes for the state of quadriplegia like:
1) Car accidents
2) Work related injuries like fall from high rise, blast injuries and electric shock
injuries.
3) Medical causes like infectious or parasitic causes such as spinal cord abcess or
tuberculous abcess [7].
It has been seen that many researchers had worked on the grounds of accessibility options
for quadriplegics so that they can easily access the computing devices. The main key
behind this is that a PC is generally adaptable to different inputs and outputs.
Quadriplegics are currently participating in the field of computing with limited
accessibility options with a rapid development and evaluation of a head controlled HCI
(Human Computer Interface) that has the functions just like a traditional keyboard or
mouse [1].
The projects of HCI are meant for people who have the disability either physical,
cognitive, sensory or communicative. This technology of HCI assists the quadriplegics in
the accessing of computing devices.
Some of the accessibility options with the help of which quadriplegics can easily
participate in the field of computing are as follows:
1) AbleNet’s Impulse System-: In this type of system there is a small device that is fitted
to the user’s skin which has replaced the old traditional keyboard and mouse. This small
device uses the technology of electromyography through which small electrical impulses
can be sent from the brain to the muscle by sensing, amplifying and transmitting them
[2].
2) Eyegaze Edge-: In this technology eye motion is translated with the help of a small
external processing unit into a screen action thereby using a high-speed infrared camera
mounted under system’s monitor [2].
Some other assistive devices which are very helpful for quadriplegics are such as:
1) Personal mobility aids like wheelchairs for moving in and out.
2) Telephone aids which are inbuilt with vocal quads that can be used alone.
3) Appliance controllers which enables quads to switch on or off the equipment’s without
anyone help on his or her alone [8].
Q2.
The most common input which the people with quadriplegics have that further helps
them to develop methods to help quadriplegics in computing are as follows:
1) Switches, joysticks and trackballs which are activated with motion of a body part.
Such devices helps quadriplegics in controlling the video games more effectively on
computers. They allow to move the cursor around the screen just like a mouse whenever
it is required.

2) Eye Controlled Mouse Movement is a technology where a clever device known as
GT3D that is invented by British scientists is used which has the ability to control the
computers with the movement of eyes. Using this device quadriplegics can control their
mouse movements simply by moving their eyes.
3) Sometimes virtual keyboards is emulated by certain programs on computer monitors.
This helps the quadriplegics by overlaying the screen and enables the quadriplegics to
type by using mouse to click keyboard’s characters.
4) Voice Recognition Systems are also available as input devices for quadriplegics to
input their texts on computer screen. This works by recognising the voice of the user.
5) SNP devices known as “sip and puff” which is a technology specially menat for
quadriplegics which enables them to control onscreen movements simply by breathing. In
this a special wand is present which has to be put on head or chin. This allows to send
signals to the keyboard by use of air pressure by sipping that is inhaling process or
puffing that is exhausting on the wand [3].
5) Mouth stylus (mouth stick) which is a good input device for quadriplegics who have
good head control and whose upper body has impairment. This acts like a finger with
which one can easily select options on the screen and navigate the device [3].
6) There is another input device used nowadays known as Tecla Shield that has the
greater portability for the quadriplegics. This has been designed to adapt quickly to
different inputs and is used with 1-6 input switches. The utilisation of joystick with this is
very fast.
Q3.
Almost 10 percent of world’s population is living with some form of disability which can
be physical, sensory and cognitive that makes daily activities too difficult. Quadriplegics
are the people having disability either in form of arms or legs which have to depend on
some technologies to work on computer if they wanted to do so.
The assistive technology market is growing fast, since many people in US are facing
disability which gave them reason to develop such technologies The U.S. market for
assistive technologies, which includes low- and high-tech vision, auditory and speaking
aids, is projected to grow from $41.1 billion last year to $55 billion in 2016, according to
London-based Vertical Edge Ltd., a market research firm [9].
There are many technologies that are helpful for working of quadriplegics in field of
computing and those are listed below:
1) Adaptive technology
2) Accessible technology
3) Assistive technology
The accessibility options that have been currently invented for the quadriplegics are as
follows:
1) Adaptive Stylus
2) Tecla Shield
3) Mouth Stylus
4) Pogo stylus
The detailed working of all the accessibility options are as follows:
1) Adaptive Stylus
This has been designed as a Sixth digit stylus or pointer which allows access to an iPad,
standard keyboards, microwaves. These stylus are meant for those people with poor hand
or finger control. This is portable, wearable and very functional. This works just like a
finger and one can easily control all the movements on screen by preforming some tasks

like typing, answering phone calls and working on computers. It is easy to wear and it
does not stuck while working on a computer as the size is not too long [4].
2) Tecla shield
This device or accessibility option helps the quadriplegics as they can use it from
anywhere on their smart device or computers as they move along with them. The working
of Tecla shield includes the interaction with their iOS and Android devices, computers
and smart home systems that are hands free. The working of Tecla shield involves the use
of assistive switches which have buttons and sip-puff controllers. Sometimes they all
make the use of joysticks and head arrays [4].
3) Mouth Stylus or Mouth stick
This type of accessibility option is very light weight for using with tablet or smartphone.
This is a type of mouth stick which can be easily put in the mouth and one can easily
access the functions of the computers by moving the stick in the mouth. By moving the
mouth it can detect the area where one has to type the character on computer on screen
and one can easily make changes on the computer screen [4].
4) Pogo stylus
This accessibility option comes in handy form whose body appears to be made up of
some type of aluminium which has the ability to detect electrical impulses that is
produced by skin. So whenever there is a contact of quadriplegics skin with smallest
portion of stylus it will work fine with an iPod Touch similar to the way as the tip of a
finger does
The accessibility options mentioned above are all good for quadriplegics as well as for
people who suffer from any type of disability.
Q4.
Since 2009, a team of 30 researchers from the Clinatec biomedical platform of the French
Alternative Energies and Atomic Energy Commission (CEA) has been doing hard work
on quadriplegics so that they can walk on their own and open a door with the help of
brain controlled implant system. The CEA is relying on different technologies that it is
developing in-house, in the fields of neuroscience, software and robotics. There is a
project run called BCI (Brain Computer Interface) by the Doctor Alim-Louis Benabid, a
world-renowned brain specialist and former head of the neurosurgery department at
Grenoble University Teaching Hospital. As there is a progress in neuroscience and
computer technology, research is being made to control the machine using human brain
[10].
The future of accessibility for quadriplegics can provide them several advantages while
working with mobile technologies like:
1) Run a Business
Quadriplegics can run their own business as through the use of accessibility options
available for them in field of computing they can easily control their smartphones with
which they can start a business online and work hard to earn money and profit.
2) Play Games
Using the accessibility options like mouth stylus and single switch or joystick they are
able to play games online on computers or their smartphones.
3) Be more spontaneous
Quadriplegics with limited mobility are benefited with such accessibility options
available for them as they can be involved in coordination, and can call for a pick up at
the end of night. They found themselves free to take their own decisions for
accommodating last minute events.

4) Stay safe
Quadriplegics with the help of certain head arrays, sip and puff controllers or switches
can move around on their wheelchairs on their own. This further gives a feeling of
independence among them which is good to raise their self-confidence [5].
5) Control home
Using the accessibility options they can also control their home by utilising their iPads as
a remote control for their house. With this temperature of the house is controlled with
devices like NEST thermostat.
6) Reading books become easy with the help of downloading the material online with the
accessibility options available accordingly.
7) Quadriplegics can also participate in online courses with the help of accessibility
options available for them.
8) They can also participate in social media
9) They can communicate from anywhere independently.
Hence the future of accessibility for quadriplegics is safe and easy to use. Quadriplegics
becomes more independent and self-motivating in doing their work in field of computing
and many other in which they are interested.
References
[1] Clinics Sao Paulo, development and evaluation of a Head Controlled Human
Computer Interface with Mouse Like functions for Physically Disabled Users, 2009
October.
[2] By Brian Nadel, 14 great computing aids for the disabled 20 Mar 10.
[3] 4 Ways Quadriplegics can use an iPad or iPhone, 29 April, 2014.
[4] 9 Surprising Things Quadriplegics can do with an iPhone or iPad, 26 August, 2014.
[5] 9 Surprising Things Quadriplegics can do with an iPhone or iPad, 26 August, 2014.
[6] Ian Langtree, what is Quadriplegia: Quadriplegic Facts & DefinitionPublished,2010-
09-26 (Rev. 2016-01-07).
[7] Dr. Jean-François Desert, Spinal Cord Injury: Paraplegic and Quadriplegic Injuries.
[8] Schepens, Residential & Workplace Accommodations and Assistive Technology for
Quadriplegics, October 2002.
[9] Gus G. Sentementes, The Baltimore Sun, Quadriplegic receives computer to help with
everyday tasks, September 25, 2012.
[10] Benoit Georges, A Brain Computer Interface That Could Help Quadriplegics Walk,
21 July, 2013