Pediatric Engineering Research Lab (PERL)

Tariq Rahman, Ph.D.
Laboratory Head

Major Research Interests:

The Pediatric Engineering Research Lab (PERL) is involved in research of devices and therapies that will assist and rehabilitate children with neuromuscular disabilities and orthopedic disorders, including muscular dystrophy, spinal muscular atrophy, scoliosis, arthrogryposis, spinal cord injury, and leg length discrepancies. Projects range from the development of force driven instrumentation for leg lengthening, an anti-gravity upper limb orthosis, and sensors to detect patient compliance with brace wear.

PERL has a staff of biomedical engineers and students that work with various clinicians at the Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children to conceive and develop engineering solutions to medical problems. PERL has affiliations with Drexel University and University of Delaware in Biomedical and Mechanical engineering and has full facilities for mechanical and electronic fabrication of research prototypes.