AS PART of their final year project, a team of mechanical engineering students from Ngee Ann Polytechnic worked with Singapore General Hospital (SGH) to design a device for patients with lower back pain.

The tool consists of a harness to help lift the upper body from the pelvic region, reducing pressure to the lower back when the user is sitting down, in a process known as traction.

Currently, traction for the lower back is done in a lying position using a set of harnesses and there is no known commercially available device for use in an upright postion, said SGH's senior principal physiotherapist Dr Celia Tan.

But with the portable device, patients can manage pain without a physiotherapist present, even when at work.

The lift force and duration of use can be controlled according to a physiotherapist's prescription.

SGH has been seeing about 160 new patients with lower back pain every week for the last few years.

Another graduating team from the polytechnic has also come up with a device to help patients with swallowing difficulty, which may arise from cancer or stroke.

About 300 new patients go to SGH's speech therapy department every month to get their swallowing condition assessed and managed.

The tool, which is strapped to the upper body, aids the patient in strengthening their throat muscles by providing resistance to the chin area. Currently, patients are taught to apply pressure to their throat using their fingers.

With the tool, the patient can perform the exercises independently and in the correct manner. Therapists can also monitor progress of the patient through the attached datalogger.

Both devices are still in the prototype stage and more work is needed before they hit the market, said Dr Tan.

Members of the public can view these projects at the Ngee Ann Polytechnic's Open House on Clementi Road from Thursday to Saturday.