A systematic approach to rehabilitation engineering design problems

The first step in the design process is to identify and formulate the problem; this also includes a needs assessment of the user population. Rehabilitation engineering problems have psychological, social, physiological as well as technical aspects and therefore the whole rehabilitation team must be involved in problem definition. Once the problem has been defined a literature review is undertaken to determine the current state of the art; a list of sources of rehabilitation information is included to aid in this phase.

When a literature review does not provide an immediate solution to the problem, creative and innovative ideas must be generated to solve the problem. Four methods of idea generation are discussed and illustrated. Once a variety of ideas have been generated it is then necessary to determine the optimum combination of ideas. This phase involves analysis and synthesis. Models are tested by using the technical and medical tools of analysis and diagnosis to determine the optimum combination of ideas that will solve the problem. Planning and control must be implemented throughout the whole project, and techniques such as CPM, PERT, and accounting procedures may be used.

Evaluation of the project begins with the initial needs assessment and is carried out as an integral part of the whole project, so that ultimately a design is produced that is attractive for manufacturers to manufacture. In rehabilitation engineering design problems, there must be careful attention: to government regulations, detail and high engineering standards to produce both efficient and effective designs that prevent liability due to negligence.

It is recommended that recognition of the particular needs and concerns to the consumer and their interaction with the device must be applied to all aspects of the design process, and the rehabilitation professionals and consumers should work together throughout the whole design process to produce acceptable solutions to rehabilitation design problems.