Patients who lose their hand function due to injuries or neurologically related diseases (such as stroke and muscular dystrophy) now have the opportunity to recover their hands by using a new lightweight and intelligent rehabilitation device called EsoGlove developed by the research team. action. National University of Singapore (NUS).
Made from a soft material, this new device is an improvement over traditional robotic hand rehabilitation equipment because it has sensors that detect muscle signals and conform to the natural movements of the human hand, reducing the risk of discomfort and injury. The robotic gloves are also small and portable, so patients who are recovering at home or bedridden can perform rehabilitation exercises more easily and comfortably.
Raye Yeow, an assistant professor at the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the National University of Singapore, who specializes in soft wearable robots and is an important member of the research team, explains: "In order for patients to restore their hand function, they need to go through repetitive tasks. Rehabilitation programs, such as grasping and releasing objects. These exercises are usually labor intensive and limited to the clinical environment. EsoGlove is designed to enable patients to perform rehabilitation exercises in a variety of settings - in hospital wards, rehabilitation centers and even at home. EsoGlove Equipped with techniques to detect and interpret muscle signals, it can also help patients perform daily activities, such as by guiding their fingers to perform tasks such as taking a cup.
The National University of Singapore team consists of Dr. Lin Zhengxun, a clinical collaborator of the Faculty of Medicine of the National University of Singapore, and Dr. Yap Hong Kai, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Biomedical Engineering at the National University of Singapore, and undergraduate Benjamin Ang Wee Keong. .
More comfortable and more convenient
Conventional robotic devices for hand rehabilitation consist of rigid electromechanical components that are heavy and uncomfortable for the patient.
“EsoGlove is unique because it is made entirely of soft components and does not require complicated mechanical settings. The main body of the glove is made of fabric with a soft actuator. It also has an adjustable Velcro strap to cater to Different hand sizes," Assistant Professor Yeow said.
EsoGlove is connected to the pump valve control system, which regulates the air pressure that directs the soft actuator. As the actuators are pressurized by air, they exert a distributed force along the length of the fingers to facilitate finger movements, such as bending, stretching and twisting, to support different hand movements. Unlike conventional devices that use rigid links and joints, this novel approach does not limit the natural movement of the fingers. Each actuator also works independently, helping each finger individually.
Robotic gloves are available for desktop versions of bedridden patients, as well as belt versions for patients who are mobile and at home.
Intelligent control and assistance
EsoGlove uses an intuitive control mechanism involving the coupling of EMG and RFID technology. With this feature, the robotic glove can detect the patient's intent to perform a hand motion on a particular subject, such as picking up a pen or holding a cup. By interpreting the wearer's muscle signals, robotic gloves can help patients move their fingers in an intuitive way to accomplish a specific task involving objects of various shapes and sizes.
Dr. Lin said that he is also a senior consultant in the Department of Neurology at the National University Hospital. "Through this unique approach, we can develop therapeutic tools using safe and wearable robotics. Patients can take the initiative in their own rehabilitation process, and Not passively accepting the intervention of a therapist."
“Because the soft drive in EsoGlove is made of non-ferromagnetic material, it is suitable for functional magnetic resonance imaging studies. We hope that robotic gloves will help investigate the brain's activities related to athletic performance during hand rehabilitation and reveal soft rehabilitation. The functional impact of robots on brain stimulation," added Mr. Yap, who is also from the National Graduate School of Science and Engineering at the National University of Singapore.
Clinical research and commercialization
Professor Yeow and his team plan to begin clinical research at the National University Hospital in February 2016 to validate the performance of the device and obtain patient and clinical feedback to further improve the design of the device. The study took about 6 months and involved 30 patients.
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