EMG Triggered lower-limb rehabilitation device for stroke patients
Stroke is a neurological disorder in which restricted blood flow to the brain results in cell death. Stroke can lead to temporary or permanent inability to move a part of body, also called paralysis. According to WHO, 15 million people suffer from stroke worldwide each year, of which 5 million
2025-06-28 16:26:59 - Adil Khan
EMG Triggered lower-limb rehabilitation device for stroke patients
Project Area of Specialization Biomedical EngineeringProject SummaryStroke is a neurological disorder in which restricted blood flow to the brain results in cell death. Stroke can lead to temporary or permanent inability to move a part of body, also called paralysis. According to WHO, 15 million people suffer from stroke worldwide each year, of which 5 million die and another 5 million are left permanently disabled. Stroke is the fifth leading cause of death and disability, resulting in over $72 billion in annual cost. Between 2012 and 2030, total direct medical costs for stroke are projected to cross $181.4 billion.
Physiotherapy is an essential part of recovery from stroke, which helps the patient to recover the function of the paralyzed limb. But there are a number of constraints associated with conventional physiotherapy. The common treatment protocol used in post stroke rehabilitation requires one to one interaction of patients with therapists for numerous weeks or months; thus, making the provision of thorough treatment for all patients challenging. Moreover, mentionable amount of direct and indirect costs is associated with such therapies. Number of increasing patients as compared to skilled therapists is another alarming factor. These constraints can be eliminated by the use of robot-assisted physiotherapy.
A lot of research has been done on upper limb rehabilitation systems. Currently, exoskeletons, rehabilitation robots and gaming devices are available for upper limb rehabilitation. On the other hand, no product is available that can provide lower limb rehabilitation in a home-based environment.
Main aim of this project is to develop a novel post-stroke rehabilitation technology based on electromyography that will be able to (i) Improve motor functions of stroke patients (ii) Reduce development of contractures in stroke patients.
Innovative approach of this project lies in the use of highly promising and non-invasive surface electromyography-based exoskeleton device to improve motor capabilities and to reduce spasticity in stroke patients and personalizing the delivery of this rehabilitation therapy by using AI and machine learning algorithms to analyze complex neurophysiological data.
Project ObjectivesThe main objectives of our solution include:
1. To develop a device for stroke patients that will speed up their rehabilitation
2. To develop a post stroke rehabilitation control strategy based on EMG to effectively minimize the patients’ load on physiotherapist and provide therapy in any settings.
3. Wearable/Portable: The device must be portable, can be operated in home environment
4. Comfort: The patient must be comfortable wearing the device
5. Easy to use: Should be operatable without the need of a physiotherapist
So, our objective is to design a lower limb rehabilitation device that is portable, comfortable, and easy to use.
The first step in project implementation was to explore about stroke rehabilitation extensively. Learning about the different types of exercises that physiotherapists perform. Once the exercise has been selected for our rehabilitation device, research on the mechanical design was done. How can the exercise be performed efficiently and what components would be used?
After the mechanical design, sensors were explored that can be used to actuate our mechanism. The sensor most suitable for our working conditions was selected.
The final step is the clinical testing of our device, which would determine whether our device is suitable for usage or not.
It should be noted that multiple resources were exhausted for carrying out the detailed Literature Review. These resources include research papers, a brief market survey and other internet resources.
Benefits of the ProjectStroke is the leading cause of disability in the world. Physiotherapy helps the patient to regain mobility and control over the paralyzed limb. Conventional physiotherapy, the exercises performed manually by a trained physiotherapist, has very good success rate. But there are several constraints of conventional physiotherapy:
Requires a professional physiotherapist.
Time consuming process.
Difficult for a physiotherapist to attend multiple patients.
Inconvenient for patient and caregivers to travel regularly for physiotherapy.
Our device removes all the constraints of conventional physiotherapy by providing a product that delivers high intensity training in a home-based environment, without the need of a professional physiotherapist.
Our device will carry out the ankle exercises: Dorsi-flexion and Plantar-flexion.
What happens in stroke patients is: half of their body gets paralyzed. Although brain sends signal to limbs but that signal is too weak and the resulting muscle activity is so slight that no actual movement is observed. What we will do is: read that weak signal (it would be done by Electromyography (EMG) sensors, these sensors measure the electrical activity of muscles), process it (with the help of EMG and Arduino programming) and an actuator(servo-motor) will finally drive a set of mechanical linkages to help limb perform the actual desired movement.
There are basically two parts of our project, first the electronics part which will include the sensors, arduino and motors, second one is the mechanical part which will include a foot link, shafts, couplers and bearings that constitute the whole mechanical assembly. After completing the prototype development, the final step is the clinical testing of our device, which would determine whether our device is suitable for usage or not.
Final Deliverable of the Project HW/SW integrated systemCore Industry HealthOther IndustriesCore Technology Wearables and ImplantablesOther TechnologiesSustainable Development Goals Good Health and Well-Being for PeopleRequired Resources| Item Name | Type | No. of Units | Per Unit Cost (in Rs) | Total (in Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total in (Rs) | 66920 | |||
| EMG Myoware sensor | Equipment | 3 | 10750 | 32250 |
| 3D printing of footlink and gears | Equipment | 1 | 13000 | 13000 |
| Servo Motor HD-1501 | Equipment | 1 | 4000 | 4000 |
| Shaft Couplers | Equipment | 3 | 750 | 2250 |
| Flexible Bearings | Equipment | 4 | 280 | 1120 |
| Shafts | Equipment | 3 | 200 | 600 |
| EMG muscle sensor | Equipment | 2 | 4500 | 9000 |
| Arduino UNO | Equipment | 1 | 1500 | 1500 |
| Stainless Steel Plate | Equipment | 1 | 1200 | 1200 |
| Nuts, Bolts, Adhesivs, Foaming, Jumper wires, Resistors, Batteries etc | Miscellaneous | 1 | 2000 | 2000 |