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Sun Z, Jing X, Zhang X, Shan B, Jiang Y, Li G, Yokoi H, Yong X. Finger-Individuating Exoskeleton System with Non-Contact Leader-Follower Control Strategy. Bioengineering (Basel) 2024; 11:754. [PMID: 39199712 PMCID: PMC11352026 DOI: 10.3390/bioengineering11080754] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 07/03/2024] [Accepted: 07/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/01/2024] Open
Abstract
This paper proposes a novel finger-individuating exoskeleton system with a non-contact leader-follower control strategy that effectively combines motion functionality and individual adaptability. Our solution comprises the following two interactive components: the leader side and the follower side. The leader side processes joint angle information from the healthy hand during motion via a Leap Motion Controller as the system input, providing more flexible and active operations owing to the non-contact manner. Then, as the follower side, the exoskeleton is driven to assist the user's hand for rehabilitation training according to the input. The exoskeleton mechanism is designed as a universal module that can adapt to various digit sizes and weighs only 40 g. Additionally, the current motion of the exoskeleton is fed back to the system in real time, forming a closed loop to ensure control accuracy. Finally, four experiments validate the design effectiveness and motion performance of the proposed exoskeleton system. The experimental results indicate that our prototype can provide an average force of about 16.5 N for the whole hand during flexing, and the success rate reaches 82.03% in grasping tasks. Importantly, the proposed prototype holds promise for improving rehabilitation outcomes, offering diverse options for different stroke stages or application scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenyu Sun
- CAS Key Laboratory of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and the SIAT Branch, Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Shenzhen 518055, China; (Z.S.); (X.J.); (X.Z.)
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Intelligent Systems, The University of Electro-Communications (UEC), Tokyo 182-8585, Japan; (Y.J.); (H.Y.)
| | - Xiaobei Jing
- CAS Key Laboratory of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and the SIAT Branch, Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Shenzhen 518055, China; (Z.S.); (X.J.); (X.Z.)
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and the SIAT Branch, Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Shenzhen 518055, China; (Z.S.); (X.J.); (X.Z.)
- Joint Doctoral Program for Sustainability Research, The University of Electro-Communications (UEC), Tokyo 182-8585, Japan
| | - Biaofeng Shan
- Second People’s Hospital of Lanzhou City, and the First School of Clinical Medicine, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou 730000, China;
| | - Yinlai Jiang
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Intelligent Systems, The University of Electro-Communications (UEC), Tokyo 182-8585, Japan; (Y.J.); (H.Y.)
| | - Guanglin Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and the SIAT Branch, Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Shenzhen 518055, China; (Z.S.); (X.J.); (X.Z.)
- Shandong Zhongke Advanced Technology Co., Ltd., Jinan 250000, China
| | - Hiroshi Yokoi
- Department of Mechanical Engineering and Intelligent Systems, The University of Electro-Communications (UEC), Tokyo 182-8585, Japan; (Y.J.); (H.Y.)
- Joint Doctoral Program for Sustainability Research, The University of Electro-Communications (UEC), Tokyo 182-8585, Japan
| | - Xu Yong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Human-Machine Intelligence-Synergy Systems, Shenzhen Institute of Advanced Technology (SIAT), Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), and the SIAT Branch, Shenzhen Institute of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics for Society, Shenzhen 518055, China; (Z.S.); (X.J.); (X.Z.)
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2
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Oh E, Shin S, Kim SP. Brain-computer interface in critical care and rehabilitation. Acute Crit Care 2024; 39:24-33. [PMID: 38224957 PMCID: PMC11002623 DOI: 10.4266/acc.2023.01382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Accepted: 11/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/17/2024] Open
Abstract
This comprehensive review explores the broad landscape of brain-computer interface (BCI) technology and its potential use in intensive care units (ICUs), particularly for patients with motor impairments such as quadriplegia or severe brain injury. By employing brain signals from various sensing techniques, BCIs offer enhanced communication and motor rehabilitation strategies for patients. This review underscores the concept and efficacy of noninvasive, electroencephalogram-based BCIs in facilitating both communicative interactions and motor function recovery. Additionally, it highlights the current research gap in intuitive "stop" mechanisms within motor rehabilitation protocols, emphasizing the need for advancements that prioritize patient safety and individualized responsiveness. Furthermore, it advocates for more focused research that considers the unique requirements of ICU environments to address the challenges arising from patient variability, fatigue, and limited applicability of current BCI systems outside of experimental settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eunseo Oh
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, Korea
| | - Seyoung Shin
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, Korea
| | - Sung-Phil Kim
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology (UNIST), Ulsan, Korea
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3
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Fernandes da Silva JLG, Barroso Gonçalves SM, Plácido da Silva HH, Tavares da Silva MP. Three-dimensional printed exoskeletons and orthoses for the upper limb-A systematic review. Prosthet Orthot Int 2024:00006479-990000000-00211. [PMID: 38175034 DOI: 10.1097/pxr.0000000000000318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
This systematic review aims to assess and summarize the current landscape in exoskeletons and orthotic solutions developed for upper limb medical assistance, which are partly or fully produced using 3-dimensional printing technologies and contain at least the elbow or the shoulder joints. The initial search was conducted on Web of Science, PubMed, and IEEEXplore, resulting in 92 papers, which were reduced to 72 after removal of duplicates. From the application of the inclusion and exclusion criteria and selection questionnaire, 33 papers were included in the review, being divided according to the analyzed joints. The analysis of the selected papers allowed for the identification of different solutions that vary in terms of their target application, actuation type, 3-dimensional printing techniques, and material selection, among others. The results show that there has been far more research on the elbow joint than on the shoulder joint, which can be explained by the relative complexity of the latter. Moreover, the findings of this study also indicate that there is still a gap between the research conducted on these devices and their practical use in real-world conditions. Based on current trends, it is anticipated that the future of 3-dimensional printed exoskeletons will revolve around the use of flexible and high-performance materials, coupled with actuated devices. These advances have the potential to replace the conventional fabrication methods of exoskeletons with technologies based on additive manufacturing.
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Lin S, Jiang J, Huang K, Li L, He X, Du P, Wu Y, Liu J, Li X, Huang Z, Zhou Z, Yu Y, Gao J, Lei M, Wu H. Advanced Electrode Technologies for Noninvasive Brain-Computer Interfaces. ACS NANO 2023; 17:24487-24513. [PMID: 38064282 DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.3c06781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2023]
Abstract
Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have garnered significant attention in recent years due to their potential applications in medical, assistive, and communication technologies. Building on this, noninvasive BCIs stand out as they provide a safe and user-friendly method for interacting with the human brain. In this work, we provide a comprehensive overview of the latest developments and advancements in material, design, and application of noninvasive BCIs electrode technology. We also explore the challenges and limitations currently faced by noninvasive BCI electrode technology and sketch out the technological roadmap from three dimensions: Materials and Design; Performances; Mode and Function. We aim to unite research efforts within the field of noninvasive BCI electrode technology, focusing on the consolidation of shared goals and fostering integrated development strategies among a diverse array of multidisciplinary researchers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sen Lin
- School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Jingjing Jiang
- School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Kai Huang
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- State Key Laboratory of Information Photonics and Optical Communications and School of Science, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing 100876, China
| | - Lei Li
- National Engineering Research Center of Electric Vehicles, Beijing Institute of Technology, Beijing 100081, China
| | - Xian He
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Peng Du
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yufeng Wu
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Junchen Liu
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
- State Key Laboratory of Information Photonics and Optical Communications and School of Science, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing 100876, China
| | - Xilin Li
- School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
- Advanced Institute for Brain and Intelligence, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Zhibao Huang
- School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Zenan Zhou
- School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Yuanhang Yu
- School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Jiaxin Gao
- School of Physical Science and Technology, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
| | - Ming Lei
- State Key Laboratory of Information Photonics and Optical Communications and School of Science, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Beijing 100876, China
| | - Hui Wu
- State Key Laboratory of New Ceramics and Fine Processing, School of Materials Science and Engineering, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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Kosmyna N, Hauptmann E, Hmaidan Y. A Brain-Controlled Quadruped Robot: A Proof-of-Concept Demonstration. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 24:80. [PMID: 38202942 PMCID: PMC10780665 DOI: 10.3390/s24010080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Coupling brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) and robotic systems in the future can enable seamless personal assistant systems in everyday life, with the requests that can be performed in a discrete manner, using one's brain activity only. These types of systems might be of a particular interest for people with locked-in syndrome (LIS) or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) because they can benefit from communicating with robotic assistants using brain sensing interfaces. In this proof-of-concept work, we explored how a wireless and wearable BCI device can control a quadruped robot-Boston Dynamics' Spot. The device measures the user's electroencephalography (EEG) and electrooculography (EOG) activity of the user from the electrodes embedded in the glasses' frame. The user responds to a series of questions with YES/NO answers by performing a brain-teaser activity of mental calculus. Each question-answer pair has a pre-configured set of actions for Spot. For instance, Spot was prompted to walk across a room, pick up an object, and retrieve it for the user (i.e., bring a bottle of water) when a sequence resolved to a YES response. Our system achieved at a success rate of 83.4%. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first integration of wireless, non-visual-based BCI systems with Spot in the context of personal assistant use cases. While this BCI quadruped robot system is an early prototype, future iterations may embody friendly and intuitive cues similar to regular service dogs. As such, this project aims to pave a path towards future developments in modern day personal assistant robots powered by wireless and wearable BCI systems in everyday living conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nataliya Kosmyna
- Media Lab, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA
| | | | - Yasmeen Hmaidan
- Psychology Department, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON M5S 3E4, Canada;
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6
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Guo Y, Xu W, Ben-Tzvi P. Vision-Based Human-Machine Interface for an Assistive Robotic Exoskeleton Glove. RESEARCH SQUARE 2023:rs.3.rs-3300722. [PMID: 37693405 PMCID: PMC10491327 DOI: 10.21203/rs.3.rs-3300722/v1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents a vision-based Human-Machine Interface (HMI) for an assistive exoskeleton glove, designed to incorporate force planning capabilities. While Electroencephalogram (EEG) and Electromyography (EMG)-based HMIs allow direct grasp force planning via user signals, voice and vision-based HMIs face limitations. In particular, two primary force planning methods encounter issues in these HMIs. First, traditional force optimization struggles with unfamiliar objects due to lack of object information. Second, the slip-grasp method faces a high failure rate due to inadequate initial grasp force. To address these challenges, this paper introduces a vision-based HMI to estimate the initial grasp forces of the target object. The initial grasp force estimation is performed based on the size and surface material of the target object. The experimental results demonstrate a grasp success rate of 87. 5%, marking significant improvements over the slip-grasp method (71.9%).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunfei Guo
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Wenda Xu
- Mechanical Engineering Department, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
| | - Pinhas Ben-Tzvi
- Electrical and Computer Engineering Department, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
- Mechanical Engineering Department, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA, USA
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Sarhan SM, Al-Faiz MZ, Takhakh AM. A review on EMG/EEG based control scheme of upper limb rehabilitation robots for stroke patients. Heliyon 2023; 9:e18308. [PMID: 37533980 PMCID: PMC10391943 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e18308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Stroke is a common worldwide health problem and a crucial contributor to gained disability. The abilities of people, who are subjected to stroke, to live independently are significantly affected since affected upper limbs' functions are essential for our daily life. This review article focuses on emerging trends in BCI-controlled rehabilitation techniques based on EMG, EEG, or EGM + EEG signals in the last few years. Working on developing rehabilitation robotics, is considered a wealthy scientific area for researchers in the last period. There is a significant advantage that the human acquires from the interaction between the machine and his body, rehabilitation for a patient's limb is very important to get the body limb recovery, and this is what is provided mostly by applying robotic devices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saad M. Sarhan
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, College of Engineering, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Mohammed Z. Al-Faiz
- Department of Control and Computer, College of Information Engineering, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Ayad M. Takhakh
- Department of Biomechanics, College of Engineering, Al-Nahrain University, Baghdad, Iraq
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8
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Lu J, Guo K, Yang H. Dynamic Analysis and Experimental Study of Lasso Transmission for Hand Rehabilitation Robot. MICROMACHINES 2023; 14:858. [PMCID: PMC10146587 DOI: 10.3390/mi14040858] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/01/2023]
Abstract
Lasso transmission is a method for realizing long-distance flexible transmission and lightweight robots. However, there are transmission characteristic losses of velocity, force, and displacement during the motion of lasso transmission. Therefore, the analysis of transmission characteristic losses of lasso transmission has become the focus of research. For this study, at first, we developed a new flexible hand rehabilitation robot with a lasso transmission method. Second, the theoretical analysis and simulation analysis of the dynamics of the lasso transmission in the flexible hand rehabilitation robot were carried out to calculate the force, velocity, and displacement losses of the lasso transmission. Finally, the mechanism and transmission models were established for experimental studies to measure the effects of different curvatures and speeds on the lasso transmission torque. The experimental data and image analysis results show torque loss in the process of lasso transmission and an increase in torque loss with the increase in the lasso curvature radius and transmission speed. The study of the lasso transmission characteristics is important for the design and control of hand functional rehabilitation robots, providing an important reference for the design of flexible rehabilitation robots and also guiding the research on the lasso regarding the compensation method for transmission losses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingxin Lu
- Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215163, China
- School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, China
| | - Kai Guo
- Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215163, China
- School of Biomedical Engineering (Suzhou), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
| | - Hongbo Yang
- Suzhou Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Suzhou 215163, China
- School of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Changchun University of Science and Technology, Changchun 130022, China
- School of Biomedical Engineering (Suzhou), Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, China
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Xie Q, Meng Q, Yu W, Wu Z, Xu R, Zeng Q, Zhou Z, Yang T, Yu H. Design of a SMA-based soft composite structure for wearable rehabilitation gloves. Front Neurorobot 2023; 17:1047493. [PMID: 36845070 PMCID: PMC9950102 DOI: 10.3389/fnbot.2023.1047493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 02/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The combination of smart soft composite structure based shape memory alloy (SMA) and exoskeleton technology has the advantages of light weight, energy saving, and great human-exoskeleton interaction. However, there are no relevant studies on the application of SMA-based soft composite structure (SSCS) in hand exoskeletons. The main difficulty is that directional mechanical properties of SSCS need to comply with fingers movement, and SSCS can deliver enough output torque and displacement to the relevant joints. This paper aims to study the application of SSCS for wearable rehabilitation gloves and explore its bionic driving mechanism. This paper proposes a soft wearable glove (Glove-SSCS) for hand rehabilitation actuated by the SSCS, based on finger force analysis under different drive modes. The Glove-SSCS can support five-finger flexion and extension, weighs only 120 g, and adopts modular design. Each drive module adopts a soft composite structure. And the structure integrates actuation, sensing and execution, including an active layer (SMA spring), a passive layer (manganese steel sheet), a sensing layer (bending sensor) and connection layers. To obtain a high-performance SMA actuators, the performance of SMA materials was tested in terms of temperature and voltage, temperature at the shortest length, pre-tensile length and load. And the human-exoskeleton coupling model of Glove-SSCS is established and analyzed from force and motion. The results show that the Glove-SSCS can realize bidirectional movements of fingers flexion and extension, with ranges of motion are 90-110° and 30-40°, and their cycles are 13-19 s and 11-13 s. During the use of Glove-SSCS, the temperature of gloves is from 25 to 67°C, and the surface temperature of hands is from 32 to 36°C. The temperature of Glove-SSCS can be kept at the lowest temperature of SMA operation without much impact on the human body.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiaolian Xie
- Institute of Rehabilitation Engineering and Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Assistive Devices, Shanghai, China
- Department of Medical Engineering, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Qiaoling Meng
- Institute of Rehabilitation Engineering and Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Assistive Devices, Shanghai, China
| | - Wenwei Yu
- Department of Medical Engineering, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
- Center for Frontier Medical Engineering, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Zhiyu Wu
- Institute of Rehabilitation Engineering and Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Assistive Devices, Shanghai, China
| | - Rongna Xu
- Institute of Rehabilitation Engineering and Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Assistive Devices, Shanghai, China
| | - Qingxin Zeng
- Institute of Rehabilitation Engineering and Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Assistive Devices, Shanghai, China
| | - Zhongchao Zhou
- Department of Medical Engineering, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Tianyi Yang
- Department of Medical Engineering, Chiba University, Chiba, Japan
| | - Hongliu Yu
- Institute of Rehabilitation Engineering and Technology, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Assistive Devices, Shanghai, China
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Colucci A, Vermehren M, Cavallo A, Angerhöfer C, Peekhaus N, Zollo L, Kim WS, Paik NJ, Soekadar SR. Brain-Computer Interface-Controlled Exoskeletons in Clinical Neurorehabilitation: Ready or Not? Neurorehabil Neural Repair 2022; 36:747-756. [PMID: 36426541 PMCID: PMC9720703 DOI: 10.1177/15459683221138751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The development of brain-computer interface-controlled exoskeletons promises new treatment strategies for neurorehabilitation after stroke or spinal cord injury. By converting brain/neural activity into control signals of wearable actuators, brain/neural exoskeletons (B/NEs) enable the execution of movements despite impaired motor function. Beyond the use as assistive devices, it was shown that-upon repeated use over several weeks-B/NEs can trigger motor recovery, even in chronic paralysis. Recent development of lightweight robotic actuators, comfortable and portable real-world brain recordings, as well as reliable brain/neural control strategies have paved the way for B/NEs to enter clinical care. Although B/NEs are now technically ready for broader clinical use, their promotion will critically depend on early adopters, for example, research-oriented physiotherapists or clinicians who are open for innovation. Data collected by early adopters will further elucidate the underlying mechanisms of B/NE-triggered motor recovery and play a key role in increasing efficacy of personalized treatment strategies. Moreover, early adopters will provide indispensable feedback to the manufacturers necessary to further improve robustness, applicability, and adoption of B/NEs into existing therapy plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Colucci
- Clinical Neurotechnology Laboratory, Neurowissenschaftliches Forschungszentrum (NWFZ), Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM), Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mareike Vermehren
- Clinical Neurotechnology Laboratory, Neurowissenschaftliches Forschungszentrum (NWFZ), Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM), Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, Germany
| | - Alessia Cavallo
- Clinical Neurotechnology Laboratory, Neurowissenschaftliches Forschungszentrum (NWFZ), Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM), Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, Germany
| | - Cornelius Angerhöfer
- Clinical Neurotechnology Laboratory, Neurowissenschaftliches Forschungszentrum (NWFZ), Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM), Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, Germany
| | - Niels Peekhaus
- Clinical Neurotechnology Laboratory, Neurowissenschaftliches Forschungszentrum (NWFZ), Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM), Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, Germany
| | - Loredana Zollo
- Unit of Advanced Robotics and Human-Centred Technologies (CREO Lab), University Campus Bio-Medico of Rome, Roma RM, Italy
| | - Won-Seok Kim
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Nam-Jong Paik
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Bundang-gu, Seongnam-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea
| | - Surjo R. Soekadar
- Clinical Neurotechnology Laboratory, Neurowissenschaftliches Forschungszentrum (NWFZ), Department of Psychiatry and Neurosciences, Charité Campus Mitte (CCM), Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin, Germany,Surjo R. Soekadar, Charité Universitatsmedizin Berlin, Charitéplatz 1, Berlin 10117, Germany.
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11
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Development of portable robotic orthosis and biomechanical validation in people with limited upper limb function after stroke. ROBOTICA 2022. [DOI: 10.1017/s0263574722000881] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Abstract
Stroke has a considerable incidence in the world population and would cause sequelae in the upper limbs. One way to increase the efficiency in the rehabilitation process of patients with these sequelae is through robot-assisted therapy. The present study developed a portable robotic orthosis called Pinotti Portable Robotic Exoskeleton (PPRE) and validated its functioning in clinical tests. The static and dynamic parts of the device modules are described. Design issues, such as heavyweight and engine positioning, have been optimized. The implementation of control was through a smartphone application that communicates with a microcontroller to perform desired movements. Four individuals with motor impairment of the upper limbs due to stroke performed clinical tests to validate the device. Participants did not mention pain, discomfort, tingling, and paresthesia. The robotic device showed the ability to perform the flexion and extension movements of the fingers and elbow. The PPRE was confirmed to be adequate and functional at different levels of motor impairment assessed. The orthosis presented advantages over the currently existing devices, concerning its biomechanical functioning, portability, comfort, and versatility. Thus, the apparatus has the great innovative potential to become a device for home use, serving as an aid to the therapist and facilitating the rehabilitation of patients after an injury. In a larger sample, future studies are needed to assess the effect of a robotic orthosis on the level of rehabilitation in individuals with upper limb impairment.
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12
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Mita M, Suzumori K, Kudo D, Saito K, Chida S, Hatakeyama K, Shimada Y, Miyakoshi N. Utility of a wearable robot for the fingers that uses pneumatic artificial muscles for patients with post-stroke spasticity. JAPANESE JOURNAL OF COMPREHENSIVE REHABILITATION SCIENCE 2022; 13:12-16. [PMID: 37859849 PMCID: PMC10545049 DOI: 10.11336/jjcrs.13.12] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 12/21/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Mita M, Suzumori K, Kudo D, Saito K, Chida S, Hatakeyama K, Shimada Y, Miyakoshi N. Utility of a wearable robot for the fingers that uses pneumatic artificial muscles for patients with post-stroke spasticity. Jpn J Compr Rehabil Sci 2022; 13: 12-16. Objective We investigated the utility of a wearable robot for the fingers that we developed using pneumatic artificial muscles for rehabilitation of patients with post-stroke spasticity. Methods Three patients with post-stroke finger spasticity underwent rehabilitation for 20 minutes a day, 5 days a week, for 3 weeks. Passive range of motion, Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS), and circumference of each finger were measured before and after training and compared. Results The range of motion and finger circumference increased when using a wearable robot. The MAS improved partially, and no exacerbation was observed. Conclusions The wearable robot we developed is useful for rehabilitation of post-stroke spasticity and may improve venous return.
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Affiliation(s)
- Motoki Mita
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Yuri Kumiai General Hospital, Yurihonjo, Akita, Japan
| | - Koichi Suzumori
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Daisuke Kudo
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
| | - Kimio Saito
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
- Department of Rehabilitation Unit, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
| | - Satoaki Chida
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
- Department of Rehabilitation Unit, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
| | - Kazutoshi Hatakeyama
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
- Department of Rehabilitation Unit, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
| | - Yoichi Shimada
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
- Akita Prefectural Center on Development and Disability, Akita, Japan
| | - Naohisa Miyakoshi
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Akita University Graduate School of Medicine, Akita, Japan
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Gantenbein J, Dittli J, Meyer JT, Gassert R, Lambercy O. Intention Detection Strategies for Robotic Upper-Limb Orthoses: A Scoping Review Considering Usability, Daily Life Application, and User Evaluation. Front Neurorobot 2022; 16:815693. [PMID: 35264940 PMCID: PMC8900616 DOI: 10.3389/fnbot.2022.815693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Wearable robotic upper limb orthoses (ULO) are promising tools to assist or enhance the upper-limb function of their users. While the functionality of these devices has continuously increased, the robust and reliable detection of the user's intention to control the available degrees of freedom remains a major challenge and a barrier for acceptance. As the information interface between device and user, the intention detection strategy (IDS) has a crucial impact on the usability of the overall device. Yet, this aspect and the impact it has on the device usability is only rarely evaluated with respect to the context of use of ULO. A scoping literature review was conducted to identify non-invasive IDS applied to ULO that have been evaluated with human participants, with a specific focus on evaluation methods and findings related to functionality and usability and their appropriateness for specific contexts of use in daily life. A total of 93 studies were identified, describing 29 different IDS that are summarized and classified according to a four-level classification scheme. The predominant user input signal associated with the described IDS was electromyography (35.6%), followed by manual triggers such as buttons, touchscreens or joysticks (16.7%), as well as isometric force generated by residual movement in upper-limb segments (15.1%). We identify and discuss the strengths and weaknesses of IDS with respect to specific contexts of use and highlight a trade-off between performance and complexity in selecting an optimal IDS. Investigating evaluation practices to study the usability of IDS, the included studies revealed that, primarily, objective and quantitative usability attributes related to effectiveness or efficiency were assessed. Further, it underlined the lack of a systematic way to determine whether the usability of an IDS is sufficiently high to be appropriate for use in daily life applications. This work highlights the importance of a user- and application-specific selection and evaluation of non-invasive IDS for ULO. For technology developers in the field, it further provides recommendations on the selection process of IDS as well as to the design of corresponding evaluation protocols.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Gantenbein
- Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jan Dittli
- Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Jan Thomas Meyer
- Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roger Gassert
- Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Future Health Technologies, Singapore-ETH Centre, Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), Singapore, Singapore
| | - Olivier Lambercy
- Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory, Department of Health Sciences and Technology, ETH Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
- Future Health Technologies, Singapore-ETH Centre, Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise (CREATE), Singapore, Singapore
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Triolo ER, BuSha BF. Design and experimental testing of a force-augmenting exoskeleton for the human hand. J Neuroeng Rehabil 2022; 19:23. [PMID: 35189922 PMCID: PMC8862586 DOI: 10.1186/s12984-022-00997-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2021] [Accepted: 01/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Many older Americans suffer from long-term upper limb dysfunction, decreased grip strength, and/or a reduced ability to hold objects due to injuries and a variety of age-related illnesses. The objective of this study was to design and build a five-fingered powered assistive exoskeleton for the human hand, and to validate its ability to augment the gripping and pinching efforts of the wearer and assist in performing ADLs. Methods The exoskeleton device was designed using CAD software and 3-D printed in ABS. Each finger’s movement efforts were individually monitored by a force sensing resistor at each fingertip, and proportionally augmented via the microcontroller-based control scheme, linear actuators, and rigid exoskeleton structure. The force production of the device and the force augmenting capability were assessed on ten healthy individuals with one 5-digit grasping test, three pinching tests, and two functional tests. Results Use of the device significantly decreased the forearm muscle activity necessary to maintain a grasping effort (67%, p < 0.001), the larger of two pinching efforts (30%, p < 0.05), and the palmer pinching effort (67%, p < 0.001); however, no benefit by wearing the device was identified while maintaining a minimal pinching effort or attempting one of the functional tests. Conclusion The exoskeleton device allowed subjects to maintain independent control of each digit, and while wearing the exoskeleton, in both the unpowered and powered states, subjects were able to grasp, hold, and move objects such as a water bottle, bag, smartphone, or dry-erase marker.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily R Triolo
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, 98195, USA
| | - Brett F BuSha
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, The College of New Jersey, 2000 Pennington Road, STEM Building, Ewing, NJ, 08628, USA.
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Design of a 3D-Printed Hand Exoskeleton Based on Force-Myography Control for Assistance and Rehabilitation. MACHINES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/machines10010057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Voluntary hand movements are usually impaired after a cerebral stroke, affecting millions of people per year worldwide. Recently, the use of hand exoskeletons for assistance and motor rehabilitation has become increasingly widespread. This study presents a novel hand exoskeleton, designed to be low cost, wearable, easily adaptable and suitable for home use. Most of the components of the exoskeleton are 3D printed, allowing for easy replication, customization and maintenance at a low cost. A strongly underactuated mechanical system allows one to synergically move the four fingers by means of a single actuator through a rigid transmission, while the thumb is kept in an adduction or abduction position. The exoskeleton’s ability to extend a typical hypertonic paretic hand of stroke patients was firstly tested using the SimScape Multibody simulation environment; this helped in the choice of a proper electric actuator. Force-myography was used instead of the standard electromyography to voluntarily control the exoskeleton with more simplicity. The user can activate the flexion/extension of the exoskeleton by a weak contraction of two antagonist muscles. A symmetrical master–slave motion strategy (i.e., the paretic hand motion is activated by the healthy hand) is also available for patients with severe muscle atrophy. An inexpensive microcontroller board was used to implement the electronic control of the exoskeleton and provide feedback to the user. The entire exoskeleton including batteries can be worn on the patient’s arm. The ability to provide a fluid and safe grip, like that of a healthy hand, was verified through kinematic analyses obtained by processing high-framerate videos. The trajectories described by the phalanges of the natural and the exoskeleton finger were compared by means of cross-correlation coefficients; a similarity of about 80% was found. The time required for both closing and opening of the hand exoskeleton was about 0.9 s. A rigid cylindric handlebar containing a load cell measured an average power grasp force of 94.61 N, enough to assist the user in performing most of the activities of daily living. The exoskeleton can be used as an aid and to promote motor function recovery during patient’s neurorehabilitation therapy.
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Esposito D, Centracchio J, Andreozzi E, Gargiulo GD, Naik GR, Bifulco P. Biosignal-Based Human-Machine Interfaces for Assistance and Rehabilitation: A Survey. SENSORS 2021; 21:s21206863. [PMID: 34696076 PMCID: PMC8540117 DOI: 10.3390/s21206863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Revised: 09/30/2021] [Accepted: 10/12/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022]
Abstract
As a definition, Human–Machine Interface (HMI) enables a person to interact with a device. Starting from elementary equipment, the recent development of novel techniques and unobtrusive devices for biosignals monitoring paved the way for a new class of HMIs, which take such biosignals as inputs to control various applications. The current survey aims to review the large literature of the last two decades regarding biosignal-based HMIs for assistance and rehabilitation to outline state-of-the-art and identify emerging technologies and potential future research trends. PubMed and other databases were surveyed by using specific keywords. The found studies were further screened in three levels (title, abstract, full-text), and eventually, 144 journal papers and 37 conference papers were included. Four macrocategories were considered to classify the different biosignals used for HMI control: biopotential, muscle mechanical motion, body motion, and their combinations (hybrid systems). The HMIs were also classified according to their target application by considering six categories: prosthetic control, robotic control, virtual reality control, gesture recognition, communication, and smart environment control. An ever-growing number of publications has been observed over the last years. Most of the studies (about 67%) pertain to the assistive field, while 20% relate to rehabilitation and 13% to assistance and rehabilitation. A moderate increase can be observed in studies focusing on robotic control, prosthetic control, and gesture recognition in the last decade. In contrast, studies on the other targets experienced only a small increase. Biopotentials are no longer the leading control signals, and the use of muscle mechanical motion signals has experienced a considerable rise, especially in prosthetic control. Hybrid technologies are promising, as they could lead to higher performances. However, they also increase HMIs’ complexity, so their usefulness should be carefully evaluated for the specific application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Esposito
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies, Polytechnic and Basic Sciences School, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80125 Naples, Italy; (D.E.); (J.C.); (E.A.); (P.B.)
| | - Jessica Centracchio
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies, Polytechnic and Basic Sciences School, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80125 Naples, Italy; (D.E.); (J.C.); (E.A.); (P.B.)
| | - Emilio Andreozzi
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies, Polytechnic and Basic Sciences School, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80125 Naples, Italy; (D.E.); (J.C.); (E.A.); (P.B.)
| | - Gaetano D. Gargiulo
- School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2747, Australia;
- The MARCS Institute, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2751, Australia
| | - Ganesh R. Naik
- School of Engineering, Design and Built Environment, Western Sydney University, Penrith, NSW 2747, Australia;
- The Adelaide Institute for Sleep Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, SA 5042, Australia
- Correspondence:
| | - Paolo Bifulco
- Department of Electrical Engineering and Information Technologies, Polytechnic and Basic Sciences School, University of Naples “Federico II”, 80125 Naples, Italy; (D.E.); (J.C.); (E.A.); (P.B.)
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