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Here is an article about Jeremy Lanosga posted in the CSU - Pueblo Newspaper

Chair mount designed at CSU Pueblo for Jeremy to do photography "Photo by - Bill Young"

From behind the lens of a Nikon camera, Colorado Springs high school senior Jeremy Lanosga smiles and snaps a picture.  A brief (2 minute) pause follows the shot, allowing him the time to re-adjust his angle and reposition the camera.

It used to take about 20 minutes for Lanosga to take a single picture from his perch in his wheelchair.  

This newly discovered freedom to control the camera himself is possible because of a group of Colorado State University – Pueblo mechanical engineering technology students who spent the semester designing and building a contraption specifically for his needs.

Lanosga, a teen who was injured in May of 2004 while rock climbing at Garden of the Gods Park, is an amateur photographer.  The accident left him a quadriplegic, wheelchair bound for the rest of his life.

In the past, students in the MET program have built devices for those with spinal cord injuries.  The patients are referred by Craig Hospital of Denver, which specializes in the care of children and young adults.

Students Jeff Hein, Erik Anderson, Steve Santa, Brandon Van Buskirk, and Robby Greenhood collaborated on the project.  They needed to design a device that would adapt to Lanosga’s wheelchair, hold a camera weighing up to 20 pounds, allow Lanosga to aim the camera both horizontally and vertically, and be structurally sound.

The design team - "Photo by Jeremy Lanosga"

At first they considered a motorized design because that is what is out on the market, however, budget restrictions and reliability questions led us in a different direction, said Hein, team lead on the project.

Lanosga has limited mobility in his arms, which made the idea of a manually operated design feasible.  The group was unsure of how much force Lanosga would be able to apply to the different levers controlling the motion of the camera but decided it was worth a try. 

“Our philosophy is KISS- keep it simple, stupid,” Greenhood said.

The finished design reflects the team’s desire to make it as simple as possible.  The camera mounts onto a platform.  Lanosga can use a lever to position the camera vertically, while a second platform underneath is controlled in the same way for the horizontal positioning. 

A tiny camera is attached by wire, its function is to see what the viewfinder sees and send that image to a computer screen mounted on the side.  The image on the screen is the image Lanosga will capture if he chooses to release the shutter.

According to Greenhood, testing the device was difficult because the group members had to adapt to testing while keeping their hands coiled in a loose fist.  They were unable to use their fingers to move the levers, as Lanosga is unable to use his. 

Jeremy testing the chair mount - "Photo by Bill Young"

The legs that support the camera platform attach to the wheelchair at each side, with the device elevated across Lanosga’s lap.  Hein said one side is made longer, allowing quick access to Lanosga if a medical emergency arises.  It works similar to a gate, with the ability to swing open and still support the weight of a mounted camera.

With the exception of the screen and tiny camera, the device was constructed entirely on campus.  The students spent $496.16 of their own money on materials.  Camera mounts available currently on the commercial market cost around $1,500, and none available met all of the specifications Lanosga requires.

The students presented the finished product to Lanosga on Jan. 21 and once attached the design proved stable.

“The project required no further design changes or modifications when it was delivered to Jeremy, which made me feel accomplished and satisfied,” Hein said.

Lanosga immediately began learning how to maneuver his new device, to the delight of the engineers. 

Jeremy's first photo from the device - "Photo by Jeremy Lanosga"

“This is the first time I’ve done something like this.  It feels really good to make something that will bring enjoyment to someone else,” Santa said.

Anderson said, “I’m just happy that it works the way we designed it to.”

“Because of the manual design user interaction is closer to the actual experience of you or I taking a picture, it’s more authentic,” Greenhood said. 

Lanosga said he is happy with the design and the overall experience of using the contraption.  He said it used to take a lot of time for him to shoot one picture.  He would have to have someone with him, moving a camera mounted on a tripod at his direction. 

Despite the obstacles, Lanosga continued to enroll in photography classes at school, and said with a grin that he will now have more time to work on his portfolio.  Prior to the device he would have to wait until the last two weeks of class to get pictures shot and processed.  Now he has the ability to shoot at his leisure.

“Old architecture is my favorite thing to shoot.  I like the buildings in the Cripple Creek area,” Lanosga said.

The guys explained maintenance and basic care to Lanosga before sending him on his way, armed with their creation.

“It was fun as a group to go through the manufacturing process.  As team lead I am very proud of everyone’s contribution,” Hein said.   

Jeff and the professor talking about the project - "Photo by Bill Young"

Story by Jaqueline Craddock

Links about Jeremy:

Colorado Sate Racquetball Associeation.

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