Grant: Applied Research and Development Grants - Level 1

Movement Disorder Diagnostic Technologies Inc. (MDDT) is a small, London, Ontario company that specializes in medical devices, specifically a motion capture suit that is used for patient assessment and research into Parkinson's disease (PD) and related movement disorders. PD is typically assessed using the Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS), which involves patient self-report. Accurate reporting and assessment are extremely important as it has an impact on the dosage of Levodopa, prescribed; Levodopa is used as an initial pharmacological therapy for patients with PD. While it is an effective treatment, 80% of patients experience a 'wearing off' which is paired with symptoms such as dyskinesias and other motor complications. Once this has occured, more aggressive therapies have to be pursued, including stinting. Patient self-reporting is often unreliable, which is why MDDT, in collaboration physicians and researchers at University Hospital's Movement Disorders Centre, created a suit that uses 17 sensors to accurately detect muscle movement throughout the body. The suit is paired with company created software to capture and analyze data. Unfortunately, the current suit has a number of limitations and issues. MDDT wants to adapt the suit so that it can be used by patients at home, but this means serious design changes. MDDT will collaborate with Fanshawe College's School of Design to re-design the suit for at home assessment and mass production for commercialization. Working with Principal Investigator Leigh-Ann Waller and co-investigator Loren Carriere, a student research assistant will research design, fabric, and notion specifications, develop concept boards, and based on company feedback, finalize design(s), conduct fittings with MDDT staff, and build the prototype. The suit will be immediately used at the Movement Disorder Center, and MDDT will begin the process of developing a commercial application. Through participation in this research, the student will gain experience in the design and development of wearable medical technology and the School will expand its capacity to work with industry partners on challenging innovation projects.