On the Optimal Synthesis of a Finger Rehabilitation Slider-Crank-Based Device with a Prescribed Real Trajectory: Motion Specifications and Design Process

Araceli Zapatero-Gutiérrez,Eduardo Castillo-Castañeda,Med Amine Laribi

doi:10.3390/app11020708

Araceli Zapatero-Gutiérrez, Eduardo Castillo-Castañeda + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/app11020708

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Abstract

This article discusses the mechanical redesign of a finger rehabilitation device based on a slider-crank mechanism. The redesign proposal is to obtain a smaller and more portable device that can recreate the motion trajectories of a finger. The real finger motion trajectories were recorded using a motion capture system. The article focused on the optimal synthesis of the rehabilitation device mechanism formulated as a classic trajectory generation problem. The proposed approach was combined with the recorded finger movements and solved using the genetic algorithm (GA) method. Optimization criteria and constraints were successively formulated and solved using a mono-objective function.

Highlights

In traditional physical and occupational therapy, a therapist often assists a patient with a body movement that the patient cannot complete alone [1]
Results of the Analysis of the Fingers Real Motion The recorded gesture focused on the flexion–extension movement leading to the fingertip trajectory
This article proposed an improvement of a finger rehabilitation device based on a real trajectory

Summary

Introduction

In traditional physical and occupational therapy, a therapist often assists a patient with a body movement that the patient cannot complete alone [1]. A rehabilitation program aims to help a patient recover the lost capabilities, resulting in greater patient independence [2]. Rehabilitation programs generally consist of three stages. They begin with passive movements, where the therapist applies an external force to the patient due to the lack of muscular activity [3], the therapist continues with assistive exercises. The patient does most of the exercises, but needs partial assistance from the therapist to perform them correctly. In resistive exercises, the therapist provides little assistance to the patient who performs muscle contractions against an external resistance [4,5]. The exercises that contribute to the affected part’s mobility are mandatory, since it is crucial to avoid the harmful effects of immobilization [2]

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