IntegraMouse AIR

Interdisciplinary development of an AI-supported, adaptive and multimodal computer input device for people with severe mobility impairments due to paraplegia or progressive muscle diseases

A high degree of paraplegia also leads to paralysis of important respiratory muscles. Coughing and secretion defense deteriorate, which then often leads to complications such as pneumonia. As a result, respiratory problems remain the leading cause of death in patients with complete paraplegia and one of the most underestimated side effects.
With the help of assistive technologies, people with severe mobility impairments in particular can participate in social, professional and community life in a self-determined way. In addition, digital technologies can be used for respiratory muscle training development and optimal patient guidance through this training.

Project objective
The aim of the project is to develop IntegraMouse Air, an intuitive mouth-operated assistive device for people with high/complete paraplegia, bilateral arm amputation or with progressive diseases such as muscular dystrophy or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
When developing a solution, it is important to bear in mind that people with high/complete paraplegia often have only a few bodily functions such as head movements, gestures or speech available to interact with their environment. This device allows them to perform everyday, work and education-related tasks on a (mobile) computer, to engage effortlessly and autonomously in social media and to master the remote operation of the smart home or to play complex video games.  
Equipped with such a tool, data on breathing patterns will be collected from test subjects,

• in order to make an adaptive, automatic calibration of the IntegraMouse Air.
• to develop a prototype artificial intelligence that enables a continuous, app-guided and efficient training plans for the respiratory muscles.

This adaptivity to user needs makes an enormous contribution to more autonomy and thus to increased patient empowerment along the patient journey.

Cooperation partners

• The developers Electronic GmbH
• Haratech GmbH
• Software Competence Center Hagenberg

Scientific support for the topic of respiratory training

• Swiss Paraplegic Centre Nottwil