Education

  • M.P.T., Mercy College, 1998
  • Ph.D., University of Virginia, 1989
  • M.S., University of Virginia, 1985,
  • B.S., University of Florida, 1982

Teaching Interests

Professor Sprigle teaches design-related courses in industrial design and mechanical engineering. These courses explore human-centered design, rehabilitation engineering, assistive technology, and new product development. He emphasizes the role of human factors and ergonomics in the design process and highlights the creation of technologies for people with disabilities. Through this work, students gain a deeper understanding of human functional differences—insight that will benefit them in any profession they pursue.

Research Interests

Professor Sprigle’s research centers on rehabilitation engineering and applied disability science. As a bioengineer and licensed physical therapist, he integrates rehabilitation engineering into both clinical practice and everyday life. His work spans experimental research as well as research and development initiatives. Professor Sprigle’s interests include the biomechanics of wheelchair seating and posture, pressure ulcer prevention, standardized wheelchair and cushion testing, and assistive technology design.

Recent Publications

  • Allen, T., & Sprigle, S. (2025). Design approaches and decisions employed during low-volume product development: A case series of assistive technology commercialization. Journal of Mechanical Design, 147(10), 101403.
  • Sprigle, S., Deshpande, Y., & Bartlett, C. (2023). The design of a family of parametric anatomically-based compliant buttock models to evaluate wheelchair cushion performance. Journal of Rehabilitation and Assistive Technologies Engineering, 10, 20556683231182324.
  • Misch, J., & Sprigle, S. (2023). Effects of wheels and tires on high-strength lightweight wheelchair propulsion cost using a robotic wheelchair tester. Disability and Rehabilitation: Assistive Technology, 18(8), 1393-1403.
  • Misch, J., & Sprigle, S. (2023). Effects of Incremental Changes to Frame Mass on Manual Wheelchair Propulsion Cost. ASME Open Journal of Engineering, 2.
  • Sprigle S and Deshpande Y (2022) Procedure to categorize wheelchair cushion performance using compliant buttock models. Front. Bioeng. Biotechnol. 10:1006767. doi: 10.3389/fbioe.2022.1006767.