ARTIST'S CHOICE: A "GRASP AND RELEASE "MOUTHSTICK FOR ART TOOLS

Kathy Hooyenga OTR/L M.A. RET Assistive Technology Unit Institute on Disability and Human Development (UAP) / University of Illinois at Chicago Chicago, Illinois USA

ABSTRACT

This paper will present a new dynamic, mechanically operated mouthstick (ArtistÕs Choice) designed for a graphic artist with C3-C4 quadriplegia, that will allow for independent interchanging of standard markers and paintbrushes of various diameters without the use of holders or tips.

BACKGROUND

An artist's tools are the means by which he is able to express himself and communicate via the canvas. For an artist with quadriplegic involvement a mouthstick may be the primary means by which he accesses these tools.

Currently, commercially available mouthsticks either hold only one pencil or pen, or use appliance holder tubes (end tips) for interchanging various tools. The materials are secured in individual tips which slide or secure onto the end of the mouthstick. The Arrow Mouthstick (available from Fred Sammons), the Attachment Handler and Aluminum Telescoping Mouthstick (both available from Extensions for Independence) are three examples of mouthsticks using interchangeable appliance tips. The appliance tips for these mouthsticks are generally small, approximately the size of a standard pencil, and limit the size or diameter of the materials that can be used.

While the mouthsticks allow for interchanging materials, the choice of materials is limited. Markers and paintbrushes (of various diameters or sizes) may not fit standard mouthstick holders or tips and thus may be excluded from the artists choice of tools. This presented a problem for one man (J.G.) a graphic artist who needed a mouthstick that would allow him access to multiple materials and color choices.

J.G. is a 29 year old male who with C3-C4 level spinal cord damage from an automobile accident (less than a year ago). Prior to his injury J.G.was educated as and working as a graphic artist. He was referred to the Assistive Technology Unit by his occupational therapist for fabrication and customization of the Arrow Telescoping Mouthstick (available from Fred Sammons) for use with the computer keyboard and for drawing. After fabrication of this mouthstick the client noted the mouthstick provided him limited access to art tools as well as difficulty in seeing the tip on the end of the straight mouthstick. As a graphic artist, J.G. is used to experimenting with multiple materials, most often markers and needs access to multiple color choices for design layouts. His request was a mouthstick that would provide him a access to a full range of media.

DESIGN CRITERIA

With input from the client the following design criteria were established:

* Will allow commercially available markers to be used with minimal modification.

* The mouthstick will allow the user to independently interchange multiple color choices.

* The mouthstick will be as light as possible for ease in use and manipulation of the tools.

* An angled end to the mouthstick is preferred by the user to see the tip of the tool for drawing.

* Safety and health issues- intraoral use, saliva control and ease of cleaning.

RATIONALE

J.G. uses the computer for graphics and layouts, but is accustomed to designing from free hand drawings. He would like to use a mouthstick to draw out his ideas and incorporate these ideas into his layouts. The commercially available mouthsticks were insufficient in meeting his requests (design criteria) therefore a customized mouthstick was needed.

DESIGN AND FABRICATION

A lightweight, plastic mouthstick with a spring component for Ògrasping and releasingÓ the desired tools was designed. The mouthstick uses a rubberband component and fishing line to secure the desired tool. A plunger, when pushed with the tongue, widens the loops to release the tool and hook onto another tool. The loops tighten around the tool when the plunger is released. (See diagram A) Fabrication of the mouthstick is as follows:

Two pieces of 3/8" polystyrene tubing are attached via a threaded insert, piece A and piece B (see diagram B).

Piece B: Piece B is heated and bent at a 45 degree angle. A 1'x 1"x 1/8"piece of kydex is heated and bent into a c-shape, approximately 3/4 inch diameter (size of most large markers). Two sets of holes, four total, are drilled into the kydex and tubing at an angle.

Piece A: A 1 1/2"x 1/8" slot is milled into piece A approximately 2" from the top of the tubing.

Piece C: (a 1/8Ó"diameter polystyrene tube) One end is tapped for a 4-40 binding head nylon screw. A small hole is drilled into the head of the nylon screw to allow one strand of fishing line to be threaded through it. Two strands of 75 pound strength fishing line are threaded through the four holes on piece B. The fishing line is threaded in a U shape and forms a loop that is approximately 1 1/2" in diameter. The four ends of the fishing line are crimped together above the threaded insert with a small piece of aluminum tubing. Three of the four ends are trimmed close to the top of the aluminum crimp. The fourth end is threaded through the head of the nylon screw of piece C, linking the head of the screw to the top of the threaded insert. The end of this strand of fishing line is trimmed and heated to form a ball locking it in place. The nylon bolt is screwed into piece C. (See diagram B).

Piece A is connected to piece B with a 10/32 threaded insert. A custom fit mouthpiece (available from Independence Technologies), previously heated and formed to the client's mouth, has a channel drilled through the neck and the base of the U on the mouthpiece to allow passage of piece C. The mouthpiece is then secured onto piece A. A rubber cap is placed over the end of piece C to form the plunger.

Two holes are drilled and tapped, one into piece C and one into piece A (see diagram A) for insertion of two 4-40 round head machined bolts. A rubber band tightened around the bolts provides the spring action necessary for activating the loosening and tightening of the fishing line loops.

DISCUSSION

A commercially available mouthpiece is adapted to address safety and health issues. To control for saliva collection a cap at the end of the mouthstick can be removed and the inside of the mouthstick cleaned with running water and allowed to air dry.

In addition to the mouthstick a turning palette was designed. The turning palette holds markers and other tools of various sizes. The turning component allows the user greater access to a number of tools within the user's accessible range. The diameters of the selected markers were increased to allow for ease in removal. A V-shaped stand was fabricated to hook the cap for removal.

To allow the user access to both smaller diameter and larger diameter tools two mouthsticks were provided. The angle of the tip and length of the mouthstick were adjusted on delivery.

In addition to providing access to commercially available markers and a variety of independent color choices the mouthstick allows the user to grasp the tool at different points increasing or decreasing the length of the mouthstick for access to a greater range when drawing.

Further design considerations include a means of incorporating a grasp of both large and small diameter art tools into one mouthstick as well as a means for the user to independently change the angle of the drawing tool.

SUPPLIERS

American Science and Surplus 5696 N. Northwest Highway Chicago , Illinois (312) 763-0313

Item,Unit

1) 3/8"OD, 7/32" ID Polystyrene tubing, 1" length

2) 3/16"Polystyrene Tubing ,1"length

3) Rubber cap ,1/ each

Independence Technologies Corporation 9427 Rosmarin Way Montpellier, MD 20708 800-644-4482

Item Unit Mouthpiece $59.95/ea

Mc Master Carr Supply Company P.O. Box 4355 Chicago IL 60608 (708) 833-0300

Item ,Unit 4-40/1/4" Binding head; nylon screws $5.62/ 100 #9500A106

Hardware Store

4-40 round head machine screws

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Work of the Assistive Technology Unit is made possible by the Illinois Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (DMHDD), the Illinois Department of Rehabilitation Services (DORS), the United States Department of Health and Human Services - Administration on Developmental Disabilities (ADD), and the University of Illinois at Chicago.

* Special thanks to Scott Mason for his technical assistance and Korey Singleton for the mechanical drawings.

Kathy Hooyenga OTR/L M.A. RET Assistive Technology Unit Institute on Disability and Human Development (UAP) University of Illinois at Chicago (M/C 626) 1640 W. Roosevelt - Room 415 Chicago, IL 60608-6904 (312) 413-1555 (V) (312) 413-1554 (TDD) (312) 413-3709 (FAX)