Aid’sUp

The device being developed is a modular, controllable neck brace for people with limited cervical mobility who have difficulty controlling the position of their head.

When the project application was submitted, an initial search for a product on the market revealed that there was no solution to the problematic faced by people with ‘Dropped Head Syndrome’, such as our user. Most of the neckbands currently available on the market are rigid and do not facilitate our user’s daily activities. What’s more, their unsightly appearance and the difficulty of handling and fitting them were an obstacle to their use.

An initial prototype was developed during a hackathon organised by HackaHealth in 2019. During this event, the first foundations of the concept were laid and an initial (rudimentary) prototype showed real potential in real use on a person suffering from Dropped Head Syndrome (DHS).

In this context, the following objectives were defined for this project:
1. To create a two-part structure, with a support at chin level and a base that rests on the user’s upper torso. These two structural elements are articulated at the neck; this joint is fitted with springs, allowing flexibility in the position of the head and thus improving comfort. The structure is made as comfortable and aesthetically pleasing as possible to maximise acceptability.

2. The device is fitted with a motor which controls the inclination of the chin support. The size of the motor is kept to a minimum and the motor is made as inconspicuous as possible.

3. The system is controlled by a simple, intuitive wireless module that can be operated effortlessly by a user with muscular weakness. One avenue being explored for the prototype will be to integrate the wireless control into a smartphone application for ease of use and integration.

One of the most important results obtained is a concrete picture of user needs.