Utilizing Socially assistive Robots SARs to motivate post stroke lower limb rehabilitation

Limbs impairment whether it is lower limb or upper limb is the common outcome of stroke. Rehabilitation exercises in the presence of therapist, can help the limbs of patients to relearn their movement of action but after discharging, patients receive minimum number of exercises at homes that causes

Project Title

Utilizing Socially assistive Robots SARs to motivate post stroke lower limb rehabilitation

Project Area of Specialization

Mechatronics Engineering

Project Summary

Limbs impairment whether it is lower limb or upper limb is the common outcome of stroke. Rehabilitation exercises in the presence of therapist, can help the limbs of patients to relearn their movement of action but after discharging, patients receive minimum number of exercises at homes that causes their affected limbs to forget their action movements and are not able to perform activities of daily lives (ADLs). Such a robotic platform is needed that can provide assistive forces in performing rehabilitation exercises at home. In this report, a robotic platform is presented which includes robotic system as well as haptic device to perform the post stroke rehabilitation exercises for the lower limb. The proposed robotic system would be capable of performing exercises via active control system. Active control system allows patients to control the movements of robot by their own. Robotic system is controlled by means of Arduino UNO and joystick module which is handled by patients. If the patient is feeling uncomfortable and difficulty in performing the exercise on his own, then the physiotherapist would control the system using GUI.Also, the physiotherapic exercises of patients would be recorded and analyzed by physiotherapists during the performance of exercises. The sensors including accelerometer, EMG muscle sensor and foot force pressure sensor are placed on the robotic structure that can record the acceleration of robotic structure as well as force exerted by the patient while performing the exercises and physiotherapists can easily observe and analyze these parameters on their control systems. The proposed system reduces the dependence of therapists and can easily find applications in medical and engineering fields.

Project Objectives

1. Rehabilitation exercise is the care that helps patient get back on track.
2. Improves abilities that patients need for daily life chores.
3. To regain the mobilization of lower limb.
4. It provides functional independency to paralyzed patients.
5. To retrieve social participation in the society.
6. Exercises are age-specific and consider the person’s needs and priorities.
7. The device is easily operatable and can be equipped in homes and hospitals both.

       8. It can be operated by patients as well as physiotherapists

Project Implementation Method

The project consists of structure of robotic leg fixed to a chair and can be implemented in two ways. The robotic leg can be controlled by both patients and physiotherapists. If patient wants to control the structure on his own then he/she will control it using joystick. Three stepper motors are attached to the structure at three links of lower limb i.e. thigh, leg and ankle. By using Joystick, he will perform the three degree of freedom exercises according to his own will. On the other hand, if he wants the physiotherapists to control the structure then physiotherapist will send command to the controller using GUI and will set the speed and angle according to the amount of exercise needed. The sensors i.e. accelerometer and force sensors would be placed on the structure and their data can be analyzed on the control systems.

Benefits of the Project

1. The project is budget-friendly.

Rehabilitation Robots are one of the most known and acclaimed innovation in the field of medical science, as they provide efficient exercise required to combat the condition of paralyzed patients. Economical barrier has always been a great task to tackle, but this project deals with components who are available at pocket-friendly prices and execute the exercises on patients efficiently.

2. Project provides Graphical user Interface

Complex machines and devices are always a grind for non-technical people, as an educated, and well-trained person is required to operate the machine and the desired outcomes are achieved, but this project by the help of GUI which enables the doctor and patient deal with exercises proficiently.

3. Operatable by all

The quality of this project that makes it, one of its own kind is that it has very easy operating system, and it can be controlled by both the physiotherapist and patient himself without requiring any complex medical knowledge.

4. Time saving nature

This project is extremely a life-saver and a time-saver, as it can be operated by the patient himself at home, once the exercise is prescribed by the doctor and due to this the time that usually gets waste in going to clinics is saved, by which the patient feels lethargic, and the physiotherapist's time is also saved and he can deliver his services in the clinic for more bigger purposes.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

Viewing it in the light of technical specifications,

The stepper motors provide the required force at three joints, one at the ankle and the other two on the different portion of legs. It provides the exact amount of acceleration and velocity that is needed for the proper mobilization of legs. The iron structure completely holds the legs, keeps a hold of them and makes the motors execute its functioning.

Joystick allows the patient/physiotherapist to control the motion, speed, and angle of the movement. At what pace the motors should be exerting force, at what inclined angles should be the movement performed, all is controlled with a simple joystick, making it an incredibly user-friendly equipment.

The robot can also be controlled using passive control system which means that physiotherapist would also be able to give command to the structure using GUI.

Length of robotic structure can be adjusted using linear actuators so the structure can be used by every person.

Final Deliverable of the Project

HW/SW integrated system

Core Industry

Medical

Other Industries

Manufacturing , Others , Health

Core Technology

Robotics

Other Technologies

Wearables and Implantables, Others, Clean Tech

Sustainable Development Goals

Good Health and Well-Being for People, Decent Work and Economic Growth, Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure, Reduced Inequality

Required Resources

If you need this project, please contact me on contact@adikhanofficial.com