A robotic arm that can be worn at home is being developed to help stroke survivors regain the ability to reach and grasp objects and perform basic tasks such as feed themselves.
The device, built by a research team led by biomedical engineer Jiping He PhD at
Recent research suggests that stroke survivors can recover significant use of their arms by performing repetitive motor function exercises over a period of time. This labour intensive physical therapy is expensive, however, claiming up to 4% of the
"This device is intended to provide cost-effective therapy to a wider population for a longer period of time for maximum recovery of motor function," Jiping He said of the device which he has dubbed RUPERT I, for Robotic Upper Extremity Repetitive Therapy.
RUPERT I is powered by four pneumatic muscles and is movable at the shoulder, elbow and wrist. The design was based on a kinematics model of the arm, which showed where to locate the pneumatic muscles and how much force was needed for normal reaching and feeding movements. The mechanical arm is adjustable to accommodate different arm lengths and body sizes.
The first prototype was fitted and tested on able-bodied individuals and stroke survivors at Banner Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in
RUPERT II, a second generation prototype, is under development using results of the fitting evaluations and therapy testing at the medical center.
KMI’s first device, the Hand Mentor, is for hand rehabilitation and is available by prescription from clinicians.
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