Help for Disabled Children

About this technology

Overview

L & M Electronics with NASA assistance aided children with cerebral palsy. These children have nervous system defects which lead to muscular spasticity and loss of coordination. Many of these children have great difficulty walking because certain muscles are in a constant state of contraction. Surgical techniques can lengthen muscles or tendons to improve child's walking pattern, but are vital to accurately diagnose the particular spasticity problem of each patient; individual muscles causing handicap vary from child to child. Space biotelemetry, physiological signals sent by radio waves is being applied to diagnose accurately spasticity in children crippled by cerebral palsy. Miniature sensor/transmitters affixed on legs send wireless data on muscle activity helpful in determining corrective surgery and other remedial measures.