Faculty Mentor Information
Dr. Joel Perry (Mentor), University of Idaho
Additional Funding Sources
This project is supported by an award from the National Institute of General Medical Sciences (NIGMS), National Institutes of Health (NIH) under grant number U54 GM104944.
Abstract
Individuals with impairment from stroke are often unable to lift and support their impaired arm against gravity due to cortical damage in the brain and the development of abnormal muscle synergies in the control of their affected side. Existing devices for rehabilitation and upper extremity support are mounted to a wheelchair or other stationary platform, making them impractical during many non-stationary activities of daily living. This research presents a wearable, lightweight, passive exoskeleton that will support an individual’s impaired arm against gravity, allowing for an improved range of motion (ROM) by assisting the impaired arm to support its own weight against gravity. Gravity support is achieved through a series-wrapping cam mechanism that takes the affected extremity’s weight and stores that energy in a set of natural rubber springs that stretch as the arm is lowered. The device will be tested on volunteers who meet the study inclusion criteria, using motion capture analysis conducted in the lab to observe instantaneous increases in ROM, and additional measurements taken throughout various testing stages both at home using accelerometers and in a laboratory setting.
Development of a Wearable Shoulder Exoskeleton for Stroke Rehabilitation Using Series Wrapping Cams
Individuals with impairment from stroke are often unable to lift and support their impaired arm against gravity due to cortical damage in the brain and the development of abnormal muscle synergies in the control of their affected side. Existing devices for rehabilitation and upper extremity support are mounted to a wheelchair or other stationary platform, making them impractical during many non-stationary activities of daily living. This research presents a wearable, lightweight, passive exoskeleton that will support an individual’s impaired arm against gravity, allowing for an improved range of motion (ROM) by assisting the impaired arm to support its own weight against gravity. Gravity support is achieved through a series-wrapping cam mechanism that takes the affected extremity’s weight and stores that energy in a set of natural rubber springs that stretch as the arm is lowered. The device will be tested on volunteers who meet the study inclusion criteria, using motion capture analysis conducted in the lab to observe instantaneous increases in ROM, and additional measurements taken throughout various testing stages both at home using accelerometers and in a laboratory setting.