Gait Rehabilitation Devices Research Articles

Human-robot interaction: kinematics and muscle activity inside a powered compliant knee exoskeleton.

Until today it is not entirely clear how humans interact with automated gait rehabilitation devices and how we can, based on that interaction, maximize the effectiveness of these exoskeletons. The goal of this study was to gain knowledge on the human-robot interaction, in terms of kinematics and muscle activity, between a healthy human motor system and a powered knee exoskeleton (i.e., KNEXO). Therefore, temporal and spatial gait parameters, human joint kinematics, exoskeleton kinetics and muscle activity during four different walking trials in 10 healthy male subjects were studied. Healthy subjects can walk with KNEXO in patient-in-charge mode with some slight constraints in kinematics and muscle activity primarily due to inertia of the device. Yet, during robot-in-charge walking the muscular constraints are reversed by adding positive power to the leg swing, compensating in part this inertia. Next to that, KNEXO accurately records and replays the right knee kinematics meaning that subject-specific trajectories can be implemented as a target trajectory during assisted walking. No significant differences in the human response to the interaction with KNEXO in low and high compliant assistance could be pointed out. This is in contradiction with our hypothesis that muscle activity would decrease with increasing assistance. It seems that the differences between the parameter settings of low and high compliant control might not be sufficient to observe clear effects in healthy subjects. Moreover, we should take into account that KNEXO is a unilateral, 1 degree-of-freedom device.

An Assistive Passive Pelvic Device for Gait Training and Rehabilitation Using Locomotion Dynamic Model

An Assistive Passive Pelvic Device for Gait Training and Rehabilitation Using Locomotion Dynamic Model

Review: Robot Devices for Gait Rehabilitation

The main motivation of gait rehabilitation is to help a patient recovering from injury, illness or disease, to recover some locomotor abilities in order to promote as much independence as possible in activities of daily living tasks, and to assist the patient in compensating for deficits that cannot be treated medically. However, the amount of hands-on therapy that patients can receive is limited, as economic pressures are inherent in the health care system. Therefore, worldwide efforts are being made to automate locomotor training. Robotic devices has the potential to make therapy more affordable and thus more available for more patients and for more time. This article reviews the most important characteristics and features of the current robot devices for gait rehabilitation, both in clinical use and in the phase of research.

A Wireless Sensory Feedback Device for Real-Time Gait Feedback and Training

This paper presents a new sensing and feedback system for a personal gait rehabilitation device based on wireless transmission of ambulation data for real-time sensory feedback for assistive healthcare. An integrated force-sensing insole was designed, using embedded force sensitive resistors that were sampled using a microprocessor, which then transmitted the data to an Android smartphone for presentation to the user. Experiments were performed to verify that the device captured accurate gait data, and was able to influence the gait of the subject. In addition, different sensory methods of feedback were tested to determine their individual efficacy at modulating the gait of study subject. The results show that the feedback system is capable of influencing the gait of the user, without the need for direct supervision by a rehabilitation specialist. In addition, a statistical analysis was performed to establish the reliability and repeatability of the system. From these results, this feedback system is established as a novel, inexpensive, and effective candidate for use in clinical rehabilitation of persons with gait abnormalities.

A gait rehabilitation strategy inspired by an iterative learning algorithm

Robotic gait rehabilitation devices enable efficient and convenient gait rehabilitation by mimicking the functions of physical therapists. In manual gait rehabilitation training, physical therapists have patients practice and memorize normal gait patterns by applying assistive torque to the patient’s joint once the patient’s gait deviates from the normal gait. Thus, one of the most important factors in robotic gait rehabilitation devices is to determine the assistive torque to the patient’s joint during rehabilitation training. In this paper, the gait rehabilitation strategy inspired by an iterative learning algorithm is proposed, which uses the repetitive characteristic of gait motions. In the proposed strategy, the assistive joint torque in the current stride is calculated based on the information from previous strides. Simulation results and experimental results using an active knee orthosis are presented, which verify that the proposed strategy can be used to calculate appropriate assistive joint torque to excise the desired motions for rehabilitation.

Design of a mechanical system in gait rehabilitation with progressive addition of weight

In this paper we designed and developed a mechanical device for gait rehabilitation based on the application of "partial body weight reduction therapy". An evaluation of the characteristics of devices based on this therapy currently available on the market was carried out obtaining information of the different mechanisms used in it. The device was designed to adapt to different height and weight of patients and to be used with additional equipment in gait rehabilitation, for example, treadmills, elliptical trainers and vertical scalers. It was envisaged to be used by patients with asymmetry in the lower extremities capabilities. We developed a stable structure in steel ASTM A36 which does not depend on the building conditions of the installation site. RamAdvanse software was used to calculate structural stability. A winch with automatic brake mechanism was used to raise/lower the patient, who was tied to a comfortable harness which provided safety to the patient and therapist. It was possible to quantify precisely, using counterweights, the weight borne by the patient during therapy. We obtained a small-sized and ergonomic low-cost prototype, with similar features to those currently considered cutting-edge devices.

Gait Rehabilitation Device in Central Nervous System Disease: A Review

Central nervous system diseases cause the gait disorder. Early rehabilitation of a patient with central nervous system disease is shown to be benefit. However, early gait training is difficult because of muscular weakness and those elderly patients who lose of leg muscular power. In the patient's walking training, therapists assist the movement of patient's lower limbs and control the movement of patient's lower limbs. However the assistance for the movement of the lower limbs is a serious hard labor for therapists. Therefore, research into and development of various gait rehabilitation devices is currently underway to identify methods to alleviate the physical burden on therapists. In this paper, we introduced the about gait rehabilitation devices in central nervous system disease.

A Gait Rehabilitation Strategy Inspired by an Iterative Learning Algorithm

AbstractRobotic gait rehabilitation devices enable more efficient and convenient gait rehabilitation by mimicking the functions of physical therapists. In manual gait rehabilitation training, physical therapists try for patients to practice and memorize normal gait patterns by applying assistive torque to the patient's joint if the patient's gait deviates from the normal gait. Thus, it is one of the most important factors in the robotic gait rehabilitation devices to determine the amount of assistive torque to practice the normal gait. In this paper, the gait rehabilitation strategy inspired by an iterative learning algorithm is proposed which uses the cyclic and repetitive characteristic of gait motions. In the proposed strategy, the amount of assistive torque in the current stride is calculated based on the information in the previous stride. The simulation results with human models, and experimental results using an active knee orthosis are presented, which verify that the proposed strategy can generate appropriate torque to practice the knee motions for the normal gait.

Mina: A Sensorimotor Robotic Orthosis for Mobility Assistance

While most mobility options for persons with paraplegia or paraparesis employ wheeled solutions, significant adverse health, psychological, and social consequences result from wheelchair confinement. Modern robotic exoskeleton devices for gait assistance and rehabilitation, however, can support legged locomotion systems for those with lower extremity weakness or paralysis. The Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (IHMC) has developed the Mina, a prototype sensorimotor robotic orthosis for mobility assistance that provides mobility capability for paraplegic and paraparetic users. This paper describes the initial concept, design goals, and methods of this wearable overground robotic mobility device, which uses compliant actuation to power the hip and knee joints. Paralyzed users can balance and walk using the device over level terrain with the assistance of forearm crutches employing a quadrupedal gait. We have initiated sensory substitution feedback mechanisms to augment user sensory perception of his or her lower extremities. Using this sensory feedback, we hypothesize that users will ambulate with a more natural, upright gait and will be able to directly control the gait parameters and respond to perturbations. This may allow bipedal (with minimal support) gait in future prototypes.

Repetitive Task Training for Improving Functional Ability After Stroke

Repetitive Task Training for Improving Functional Ability After Stroke

Design and Evaluation of the LOPES Exoskeleton Robot for Interactive Gait Rehabilitation

This paper introduces a newly developed gait rehabilitation device. The device, called LOPES, combines a freely translatable and 2-D-actuated pelvis segment with a leg exoskeleton containing three actuated rotational joints: two at the hip and one at the knee. The joints are impedance controlled to allow bidirectional mechanical interaction between the robot and the training subject. Evaluation measurements show that the device allows both a "patient-in-charge" and "robot-in-charge" mode, in which the robot is controlled either to follow or to guide a patient, respectively. Electromyography (EMG) measurements (one subject) on eight important leg muscles, show that free walking in the device strongly resembles free treadmill walking; an indication that the device can offer task-specific gait training. The possibilities and limitations to using the device as gait measurement tool are also shown at the moment position measurements are not accurate enough for inverse-dynamical gait analysis.