Who would have thought that a former engineer in the oil industry would be working to alleviate the pain experienced by those confined to beds or wheelchairs?
Inspired by wheelchair-bound athletes, Adam Thrasher, assistant professor in UH’s Health and Human Performance Department, uses his mechanical engineering knowledge to help prevent pressure sores that ail people who are bedridden or wheelchair-bound.
“This research can be used to develop products that alleviate pressure before it becomes problematic,” he says.
Thrasher is developing an electrical stimulation system that strengthens a patient’s muscles to maintain a cushion between the bone and the mattress of a chair.
This research ultimately will be targeted toward the walking functions of spinal cord patients.
"I am fascinated with the prospect of applying aspects of engineering to the challenges of spinal cord patients,” he says.
To learn more about UH’s Health and Human Performance department, visit http://hhp.uh.edu/.
