Interfacing Humans and Robots for Gait Assistance and Rehabilitation

Interfacing Humans and Robots for Gait Assistance and Rehabilitation
Author: Carlos A. Cifuentes
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 384
Release: 2021-09-16
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 3030796302

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The concepts represented in this textbook are explored for the first time in assistive and rehabilitation robotics, which is the combination of physical, cognitive, and social human-robot interaction to empower gait rehabilitation and assist human mobility. The aim is to consolidate the methodologies, modules, and technologies implemented in lower-limb exoskeletons, smart walkers, and social robots when human gait assistance and rehabilitation are the primary targets. This book presents the combination of emergent technologies in healthcare applications and robotics science, such as soft robotics, force control, novel sensing methods, brain-computer interfaces, serious games, automatic learning, and motion planning. From the clinical perspective, case studies are presented for testing and evaluating how those robots interact with humans, analyzing acceptance, perception, biomechanics factors, and physiological mechanisms of recovery during the robotic assistance or therapy. Interfacing Humans and Robots for Gait Assistance and Rehabilitation will enable undergraduate and graduate students of biomedical engineering, rehabilitation engineering, robotics, and health sciences to understand the clinical needs, technology, and science of human-robot interaction behind robotic devices for rehabilitation, and the evidence and implications related to the implementation of those devices in actual therapy and daily life applications.

Exoskeleton Robots for Rehabilitation and Healthcare Devices

Exoskeleton Robots for Rehabilitation and Healthcare Devices
Author: Manuel Cardona
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 103
Release: 2020-05-26
Genre: Science
ISBN: 9811547327

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This book addresses cutting-edge topics in robotics and related technologies for rehabilitation, covering basic concepts and providing the reader with the information they need to solve various practical problems. Intended as a reference guide to the application of robotics in rehabilitation, it covers e.g. musculoskeletal modelling, gait analysis, biomechanics, robotics modelling and simulation, sensors, wearable devices, and the Internet of Medical Things.

Novel Control for a Post-Stroke Gait Rehabilitation Exoskeleton

Novel Control for a Post-Stroke Gait Rehabilitation Exoskeleton
Author: Robert Trott
Publisher:
Total Pages: 0
Release: 2022
Genre:
ISBN:

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Stroke is the second highest cause of death worldwide and the third leading cause of adult disability across all age brackets. Recovering gait following stroke is a major goal of patients, and hence rehabilitation, as it is central to many activities of daily living. Of the different treatment modalities, robotic assisted gait training is growing in popularity, but is still considered complementary to, and not substitute for conventional therapies comprising physiotherapy, overground walking and body weight supported treadmill training. The potential advantages that lower limb robotics bring to neurorehabilitation over conventional therapies include, higher dosage, specificity, improved consistency, and duration, though these benefits have been slow to manifest. Exoskeletons are well placed to provide these benefits, as well as environmental variation and task salience if they can be used away from outpatient settings. Control strategies that may be enhancing of recovery are often confined to stationary exoskeletons, and the control of mobile exoskeletons is only loosely related to gait, if at all, which limits rehabilitation outcomes. -- The primary aim of this PhD thesis was to develop an adaptive, user-initiated gait Controller that aims to target a novel neural recovery pathway. The Controller would use a robotic exoskeleton, with the intention of developing novel neuroplasticity that is beneficial for gait and would be permissive of simultaneous control of hip and knee posture. A theoretical framework based on the principles of neuroplasticity was proposed that seeks to bring higher engagement, task variance, and volition to gait rehabilitation. This framework considers stroke and rehabilitation timelines and the interaction of the proposal with existing theory, how beneficial neuroplasticity may manifest, and how the proposal may be detrimental. A comprehensive survey of candidate lower limb devices followed (164 devices), to understand exactly what features are compatible, complementary, or contradictory to the proposed control method, and to understand the implications the various specifications have. Specifically, it was found that ambulating exoskeletons that can move around the environment were preferred for their ability to be used in the community and the home, and that extended joint range of motion will be permissive of activities that are supportive of gait such as sit-to-stand and stair ascent/descent. Of the various control systems that have been implemented with exoskeleton devices, trajectory control, where motion is enforced on the limb by the exoskeleton, is preferred. -- The method of control was assessed for suitability as a gait controller through a participant study (n = 21). Participants were asked to reproduce the motion required for the controller, and with minor modification to participant motion it was shown that reliable control signals can be obtained. The remainder of the thesis applies the learnings of the previous stages in the development of the Controller and an accompanying Sensor. The custom Sensor was designed with a small form factor to be applied on the Controller. The thesis concludes with an implementation of the Controller and a successful demonstration of the proposed concept, where the control signals are reproduced on a scale lower limb exoskeleton. The full technical detail and specification of the Controller, and the custom position Sensor developed specific for this application, are presented as part of this work. -- This work has added a new theoretical framework for gait control following stroke and has added technological capability to implement the proposal. It is the primary recommendation of this PhD that the novel control method be tested further with participant studies and that the component hardware be developed further. Therapies targeting novel recovery mechanisms breathe fresh air into rehabilitation and may inspire other new treatments, and future funded work originating from this PhD will see the concept tested with a chronic stroke population, using an ambulating exoskeleton and the Controller.

Human-Robot Interaction Strategies for Walker-Assisted Locomotion

Human-Robot Interaction Strategies for Walker-Assisted Locomotion
Author: Carlos A. Cifuentes
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 125
Release: 2016-06-04
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 3319340638

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This book presents the development of a new multimodal human-robot interface for testing and validating control strategies applied to robotic walkers for assisting human mobility and gait rehabilitation. The aim is to achieve a closer interaction between the robotic device and the individual, empowering the rehabilitation potential of such devices in clinical applications. A new multimodal human-robot interface for testing and validating control strategies applied to robotic walkers for assisting human mobility and gait rehabilitation is presented. Trends and opportunities for future advances in the field of assistive locomotion via the development of hybrid solutions based on the combination of smart walkers and biomechatronic exoskeletons are also discussed.

Tuning and Evaluation of a Control Strategy of an Exoskeleton for Sit-to-stand Motion

Tuning and Evaluation of a Control Strategy of an Exoskeleton for Sit-to-stand Motion
Author: Andrés Felipe Fernández Gutiérrez
Publisher:
Total Pages:
Release: 2018
Genre:
ISBN:

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The mobility of the lower extremities may be affected by neurological conditions such as stroke or spinal cord injury. When, motor function, gait coordination and muscle strength are impaired. Rehabilitation can improve the autonomy of legs movement in order to carry out everyday tasks such as walking or stand up, also known as a Sit-To-stand. Sit-To-Stand is a task that requires considerable effort for those who have suffered a stroke or other type of injury. To perform the Sit-To-stand movement there are variables such as force, velocities, position angles, among others that can be modeled with the use of robotic exoskeletons. This project develops a Sit-To-Stand control strategy implemented in a robotic exoskeleton. This is based on previous work on the development of control strategies for the rehabilitation of the Sit-ToStand. Where Sit-To-Stand transition phases combined with position and admittance control strategies are used. The objectives of this project are to find optimal values of the angles of the joints involved in the transition of the phases and to propose an improvement in the control strategy to assist people with lower extremities movements.

Translational Neurorehabilitation

Translational Neurorehabilitation
Author: Rocco Salvatore Calabrò
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 228
Release:
Genre:
ISBN: 303163604X

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Clinical Pathways in Stroke Rehabilitation

Clinical Pathways in Stroke Rehabilitation
Author: Thomas Platz
Publisher: Springer Nature
Total Pages: 284
Release: 2021-01-14
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 3030585050

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This open access book focuses on practical clinical problems that are frequently encountered in stroke rehabilitation. Consequences of diseases, e.g. impairments and activity limitations, are addressed in rehabilitation with the overall goal to reduce disability and promote participation. Based on the available best external evidence, clinical pathways are described for stroke rehabilitation bridging the gap between clinical evidence and clinical decision-making. The clinical pathways answer the questions which rehabilitation treatment options are beneficial to overcome specific impairment constellations and activity limitations and are well acceptable to stroke survivors, as well as when and in which settings to provide rehabilitation over the course of recovery post stroke. Each chapter starts with a description of the clinical problem encountered. This is followed by a systematic, but concise review of the evidence (RCTs, systematic reviews and meta-analyses) that is relevant for clinical decision-making, and comments on assessment, therapy (training, technology, medication), and the use of technical aids as appropriate. Based on these summaries, clinical algorithms / pathways are provided and the main clinical-decision situations are portrayed. The book is invaluable for all neurorehabilitation team members, clinicians, nurses, and therapists in neurology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and related fields. It is a World Federation for NeuroRehabilitation (WFNR) educational initiative, bridging the gap between the rapidly expanding clinical research in stroke rehabilitation and clinical practice across societies and continents. It can be used for both clinical decision-making for individuals and as well as clinical background knowledge for stroke rehabilitation service development initiatives.

Exoskeletons in Rehabilitation Robotics

Exoskeletons in Rehabilitation Robotics
Author: Eduardo Rocon
Publisher: Springer
Total Pages: 150
Release: 2011-02-02
Genre: Technology & Engineering
ISBN: 3642176593

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The new technological advances opened widely the application field of robots. Robots are moving from the classical application scenario with structured industrial environments and tedious repetitive tasks to new application environments that require more interaction with the humans. It is in this context that the concept of Wearable Robots (WRs) has emerged. One of the most exciting and challenging aspects in the design of biomechatronics wearable robots is that the human takes a place in the design, this fact imposes several restrictions and requirements in the design of this sort of devices. The key distinctive aspect in wearable robots is their intrinsic dual cognitive and physical interaction with humans. The key role of a robot in a physical human–robot interaction (pHRI) is the generation of supplementary forces to empower and overcome human physical limits. The crucial role of a cognitive human–robot interaction (cHRI) is to make the human aware of the possibilities of the robot while allowing them to maintain control of the robot at all times. This book gives a general overview of the robotics exoskeletons and introduces the reader to this robotic field. Moreover, it describes the development of an upper limb exoskeleton for tremor suppression in order to illustrate the influence of a specific application in the designs decisions.