PhysioMio
Project title
Physical Therapy for Stroke Patients at Home using a Robotic Exosuit
Goal
Improving access to physical rehabilitation for stroke patients, to improve the rehabilitation outcome and independence
Contact
Julian Ilg, M.Sc. (wiss. Mitarbeiter)
Application
Robotic exosuits combine the support of rigid exoskeletons with the low weight and comfort of clothing
Research topic
Development of a robotic exosuit for stroke patients, which enables independent physical rehabilitation at home
State of the art
Stroke patients require intensive phsysical therapy as part of their rehabilitation to regain motor control of the affected half of the body. This therapy is generally provided by therapists in in-patient rehabilitation clinics or out-patient rehabilitation centers. Robotically supported therapy is only available at some in-patient facilities and, due to their high cost, only for limited time.
Drawbacks of the State of the Art
Access to physical therapy during stroke rehabilitation is limited by the availability of the therapist and the mobility of the patient. Virtual physical therapy programs generally only consist of video descriptions without feedback or active support.
Concept
This project aims to develop a robotic upper limb exosuit for stroke patients with a hemiparesis, supporting the affected arm and hand movements. By integrating sensors to detect motion and muscle acitivity, the exosuit can be used to track the rehabilitation progress and adapt its support to the needs of the patient.
Current Results
All subsystems of the exosuit have been developed and evaluated. In the next phase they will be integrated into one system to combine all functionalities in one device.