New directions in the creation of upper extremity (UE) robotic rehabilitation devices for stroke patients

摘要

On reviewing products and literature in recent UE rehabilitation engineering research, one finds significant differences in the directions that rehabilitation engineering is adopting and that which clinical practice is advocating. Combining a study of current practices in robotic device development for the hand, clinical practice for stroke, biological mechanisms and natural movement, an attempt has been made to re-align the thinking on UE Orthosis development. In this paper we propose new directions which have been adopted by us to bridge this gap, with respect to UE Orthosis. Preliminary study with some of these often neglected design considerations are then presented as a low cost, versatile, and simple option that may help to keep the patient motivated to continue UE therapy. Three new directions discussed in this paper are: 1. Making robotic therapy more collaborative by encouraging more HMHI (Human Machine Human Interaction) rather than just HMI (Human Machine Interface). 2. Using other natural positions during UE motor re-learning rather than only sitting. 3. Giving patients a menu of triggers to choose from and adapt, rather than single or fixed triggers. Description of preliminary experiments have been discussed.