Wrist rehabilitation robot: A new pathway in robotics

The robots we usually see in science fiction movies can do many things like normal humans. In real life too, the scientific technology around robotics has reached such a height where it has developed robots that can act and perform many chores like human beings. After robots for assistance, home chores etc., now a breakthrough has been made in medical sector where robots can help people suffering from major medical problems. It is good news for patients who have suffered partial paralysis due to severe strokes or injuries in the back and cannot move their hands properly. University of Okayama of Japan has developed a robot, which can help such patients to perform normal activities with ease.

Wrist Rehabilitation Robot

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Wrist Rehabilitation Robot

Designed to help people who have suffered strokes or spinal cord injuries

The group, which has developed this robotic device, has initially applied this for activities that are usually performed by wrists. This robotic device is built in conjunction with a pneumatic cylinder like device, which performs with the help of another device called actuator, and a parallel link structure. The patient who is operating this device needs a bit of practice to bring it under control so that it can perform well.

The device has handles and a patient can use them as grips and the parallel link structure allows him to move and rotate the device in x, y and z-axes with a freedom of movement ranging up to 6 degrees. Sometimes it needs quite strength to move this kind of device and it puts pressure on the user. However, the pneumatic cylinder, which operates on compressed air, absorbs additional pressure making it comfortable for fragile people. Not only in performing normal duties but also when performing some duties under water, the device has certain facilities built-in to perform under water wrist activities with ease also. At beginning level, the viscous resistance in the device is put in a minimum strength. It increases as the activities under the water increases.

Besides this, the robotic device provides the user with motion sensors, which can be attached to the muscle at the time of work or practice sessions. These sensors collect data as the wrist starts to perform and the device acts according to that data making it more user-friendly.Now after seeing its success the scientists of the Okayama University are thinking that this device can be of immense help to physio-therapists or it can even replace them one day.

Via: Diginfo