Development, design and validation of an assistive device for hand disabilities based on an innovative mechanism

Abstract

SUMMARY In accordance with strict requirements of portability, cheapness, and modularity, an innovative assistive device for hand disabilities has been developed and validated. This robotic orthosis is designed to be a low-cost, portable hand exoskeleton to assist people with physical disabilities in their everyday lives. Referring to hand opening disabilities, the authors have developed a methodology which, by starting from the geometrical characteristics of the patient's hand, defines the novel kinematic mechanism that better fits to the finger trajectories. The authors have validated the proposed novel mechanism by carrying out a Hand Exoskeleton System (HES) prototype, based on a single-phalanx mechanism, cable driven. The testing phase of the real prototype with a patient is currently on going.