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SEMESTER II EXAMINATIONS - 2016/2017

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School of Electrical and Electronic Engineering

EEEN40350 - Rehabilitation Engineering

Professor Bernard Conway

Dr Andrew Keane

Dr Giacomo Severini*

Time Allowed: 2 hours

Instructions for Candidates

Answer Question 1 and any Two (2) of Questions 2, 3 and 4.

Questions 1, 2, 3 and 4 carry marks as shown. The distribution of marks
shown in each part of the question gives an approximate indication of the
relative importance of each part.

Instructions for Invigilators

Non-programmable calculators are permitted.

No rough-work paper is to be provided for candidates.

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1. Compulsory Questions – Attempt all parts (50/100 marks):

a. General definitions - Explain the difference between impairment,

disability and handicap. (5/100)

b. Motor Control - Briefly describe the hierarchical series of

operations that lead from movement intent to motor execution
(5/100)

c. Motion Capture – Describe how camera-based systems are

used to estimate joint kinematics of humans during movements.
(10/100)

d. Wearable Technology – Explain the rationale behind the use of

wearable technology in motion analysis (10/100)

e. Electrical stimulation – Briefly explain the working principle of

one of the currently available techniques for noninvasive brain
stimulation (5/100)

f. Briefly describe which processes the terms “Injury Reversal” and

“Neuroplasticity” encompass in the recovery process after a
stroke (10/100)

g. Universal Design - What is meant by the term ‘Universal Design’

and what are considered to be the primary social drivers and
benefits arising from its use? (5/100)

2. Motor Control (25/100 marks):

a. David is asked to perform a ballistic (fast) reaching movement

towards a target. The target is moved right after David initiates
the movement and he cannot reach it precisely. Can you explain
why? What kind of movement did David perform? What would
have happened if he had performed the movement more slowly
and why? (10/100)

b. Describe the differences between Optimal Feedback Control

and Muscle Synergies theories for resolving the Degrees of
Freedom Problem (10/100)

c. Briefly describe the difference between Motor Adaptation and

Motor Learning (5/100)

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3. Brain Computer Interfaces (25/100)

a. Describe one Evoked potential commonly used in BCI

applications and how a BCI system based on such methodology
works (10/100)

b. Describe one Spontaneous Signal commonly used in BCI

applications and how a BCI system based on such methodology
works (10/100)

c. Marie is paralyzed from the waist down. A team of scientists

developed a BCI-controlled exoskeleton for her. Would it make
sense to develop the BCI system by using a “P300” design or
would it be better to use a “Motor Imagery” design? Explain your
reasoning. (5/100)

4. Robotics and Prosthetics (25/100)

a. What are the three main reasons behind the use of robots in
rehabilitation? (5/100)

b. Explain the difference between “position control “ and

“impedance control” strategies for robots (10/100)

c. Frank is a paraplegic patient with a complete thoracic spinal

cord injury. Is robotic assisted gait training a good therapy for
him and, if so, why? What kind of robot is most appropriate and
which type of control system should be used in the robot?
(10/100)

“oOo”

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