Background

The mouth is an accessible body cavity which can be exploited for real-time human-machine interface control and physiological monitoring.

Technology

This new membrane incorporates in the design an enhanced moisture proof packaging to increase the longevity of the Tongue Touch Keypad (TTK) electronic. The new membrane incorporates both printed and tactile actuators. This enhances the membrane with the ability of being small form factor, and ease of manufacturability. The use of a tactile switch can enable a solution to poor touch recognition and membrane collapse.

Advantages

This new membrane will allow for enhanced moisture-proof packaging that will increase the longevity of the TTK electronics.

Application

About 126,500 people in the US are considered to have high-level tetraplegia without neuromuscular control below the neck. This method aids in enhancing assistive technologies incorporating the mouth.