Grant: Engage Grants Program
British Columbia Institute of Technology
$25,000.00
Development of air-pressure controls with feedback for wearable products that deliver sensory stimulation
FY 2012-13
Summary
Squeezease Therapy (ST) is a product development company commercializing wearable products to benefit the
lives of children with Sensory Processing and Integration Disorders such as autism. They are focused on
medical assistive devices that administer Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT) to the sides, back, and shoulders of the
torso. Pressure on the body regulates the sensory system and eases anxiety, thereby allowing increased focus,
attention, and improved behaviours. ST has recently developed the BearHug vest concept to many accolades
such as the 2011 Red Dot Concept Award. This product is anticipated to launch in the fall of 2012. The product
uses a hand-pump to inflate a vest with an air bladder that is compartmentalized with ""welds"". This vest
administers relatively-evenly distributed and adjustable pressure to the torso. The use of air pressure allows
easy control of the pressure being applied to the body.
In collaboration with BCIT rehabilitation engineering researchers, ST proposes to develop a new 'smart' vest
technology that aims to incorporate air pressure measurement using sensors and pressure control electronics.
This pressure monitoring system will serve three important purposes: 1) enable a feedback control system of
the pressure level being applied; 2) help mitigate sensory habituation, creating a much longer-lasting calming
effect; and 3) add data recording capability to monitor a child's daily use of the vest. A ""pressure profile"" could
be documented over time, providing valuable feedback to therapists and parents, and helping them to configure
the vest to a particular child's specific needs and/or daily fluctuations. The end point of this project would be a
validated prototype that ST can use for further evaluations and to demonstrate the technology as a prerequisite
to bringing the new product to market. Success with this project has a large potential to lead to company
growth and the creation of new products to benefit children living with Sensory Processing and Integration
Disorders in Canada and around the world.
Program
Engage Grants Program
Location
British Columbia, Canada
Recipient Type
Academia
Type
Grant
Source
NSERC's Awards Data
As published
Application id
434565-2012
Name nom
Borisoff, Jaimie
Department département
Technology Centre
Organization id
5974
Institution établissement
British Columbia Institute of Technology
Province en
British Columbia
Province fr
Colombie-Britannique
Country en
CANADA
Country fr
CANADA
Fiscal year exercice financier
2012
Competition year année de concours
2012
Award amount
25000
Program id
EGP
Program name en
Engage Grants Program
Program name fr
Programme de subventions d'engagement partenariat
Group en
Research partnerships programs
Group fr
Programmes de partenariat
Committee code
1554
Committee name en
Pacific Internal Decision Committee
Committee name fr
Comité de décision interne pour le Pacifique
Area of application code
1102
Area of application group en
Health, education and social services
Area of application group fr
Santé publique, éducation et services sociaux
Area of application en
Biomedical engineering
Area of application fr
Génie biomédical
Research subject code
1605
Research subject group en
Industrial engineering
Research subject group fr
Génie industriel
Research subject en
Human factors engineering
Research subject fr
Génie des facteurs humains
Partie
1
Nb partie
1
Application title
Development of air-pressure controls with feedback for wearable products that deliver sensory stimulation
Keyword
NSERC
Application summary
Squeezease Therapy (ST) is a product development company commercializing wearable products to benefit the
lives of children with Sensory Processing and Integration Disorders such as autism. They are focused on
medical assistive devices that administer Deep Pressure Therapy (DPT) to the sides, back, and shoulders of the
torso. Pressure on the body regulates the sensory system and eases anxiety, thereby allowing increased focus,
attention, and improved behaviours. ST has recently developed the BearHug vest concept to many accolades
such as the 2011 Red Dot Concept Award. This product is anticipated to launch in the fall of 2012. The product
uses a hand-pump to inflate a vest with an air bladder that is compartmentalized with ""welds"". This vest
administers relatively-evenly distributed and adjustable pressure to the torso. The use of air pressure allows
easy control of the pressure being applied to the body.
In collaboration with BCIT rehabilitation engineering researchers, ST proposes to develop a new 'smart' vest
technology that aims to incorporate air pressure measurement using sensors and pressure control electronics.
This pressure monitoring system will serve three important purposes: 1) enable a feedback control system of
the pressure level being applied; 2) help mitigate sensory habituation, creating a much longer-lasting calming
effect; and 3) add data recording capability to monitor a child's daily use of the vest. A ""pressure profile"" could
be documented over time, providing valuable feedback to therapists and parents, and helping them to configure
the vest to a particular child's specific needs and/or daily fluctuations. The end point of this project would be a
validated prototype that ST can use for further evaluations and to demonstrate the technology as a prerequisite
to bringing the new product to market. Success with this project has a large potential to lead to company
growth and the creation of new products to benefit children living with Sensory Processing and Integration
Disorders in Canada and around the world.
