Abstract:
Functional impairment of the hand, for example after a stroke, can be partially improved by intensive training. This is currently done by physiotherapy and the optimal in...Show MoreMetadata
Abstract:
Functional impairment of the hand, for example after a stroke, can be partially improved by intensive training. This is currently done by physiotherapy and the optimal intensity of hand rehabilitation programs is usually not reached due to a lack in human resources (high costs) and patients fatigue. In this work a cost-effective soft exosuit to support the hand's grasping function is presented. The system is based on tendon-like wires and all fingers except the little finger are actuated. Each of the remaining four fingers is bidirectionally controlled by an electrical motor. This allows a variety of gripping situations, e.g. a power or precision grip. Our prototype weighs 435g, including the battery and can be worn on the upper arm. The force applicable for a power grip exceeds 20N with a maximum gripping frequency of 4Hz. Furthermore, a force control is implemented, giving the wearer the opportunity to grab sensitive objects. All components used are available in different sizes, allowing a quick and individual preparation per patient. Therefore, our prototype can be used for rehabilitation while doing activities of daily living (ADL) starting on the day of the injury.
Date of Conference: 24-28 June 2019
Date Added to IEEE Xplore: 29 July 2019
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ISSN Information:
PubMed ID: 31374780