Upper Limb Rehabilitation for Amputees

It is estimated that 75% of the 30 million people that need prosthetic devices lack access to the technologies they need. This suggests a need for solutions outside of standard healthcare models. In this work we present a solution by development of a simple, safe and accessible at-home exercise program for individuals with upper limb loss. It is intended to help amputees strengthen the muscles needed to operate body-powered prostheses when muscles have atrophied from lack of use. Extensive research identified the most effective exercises to hinder overuse injuries. The exercises were compiled and published on a website with a diagram, written description, and instructional video. By using an online platform, the program was made accessible to all. We believe the use of this program has the potential to lower the number of overuse injuries, decrease rates of prosthetic abandonment, and improve overall quality of life for amputees

Biomechanics

Biomechanics is a vast discipline within the field of Biomedical Engineering. It explores the underlying mechanics of how biological and physiological systems move. It encompasses important clinical applications to address questions related to medicine using engineering mechanics principles. Biomechanics includes interdisciplinary concepts from engineers, physicians, therapists, biologists, physicists, and mathematicians. Through their collaborative efforts, biomechanics research is ever changing and expanding, explaining new mechanisms and principles for dynamic human systems. Biomechanics is used to describe how the human body moves, walks, and breathes, in addition to how it responds to injury and rehabilitation. Advanced biomechanical modeling methods, such as inverse dynamics, finite element analysis, and musculoskeletal modeling are used to simulate and investigate human situations in regard to movement and injury. Biomechanical technologies are progressing to answer contemporary medical questions. The future of biomechanics is dependent on interdisciplinary research efforts and the education of tomorrow’s scientists

UDFS in shoulder surgeries

The purpose of this study was to clarify the difference in onset timing and incidence of undiagnosed finger symptom (UDFS) between various shoulder surgical procedures. In this study, UDFS symptoms included the following four symptoms in the fingers ; edema, limited range-of-motion, skin color changes, and abnormal sensations. UDFS cases were defined as those presenting with at least one UDFS. In result, the incidence rate of UDFS cases was 7.1% overall (58 / 816 shoulders), 7.4% (32 / 432) in arthroscopic rotator cuff repair (ARCR), 9.0% (11 / 122) in open rotator cuff repair (ORCR), 1.4% (2 / 145) in arthroscopic subacromial decompression (ASD), 13.2% (5 / 38) in open reduction and internal fixation (ORIF), 11.1% (3 / 27) in humeral head replacement, 4.8% (1 / 21) in anatomical total shoulder arthroplasty, and 12.9% (4 / 31) in reverse total shoulder arthroplasty cases. The Rate was significantly higher with ARCR compared to ASD (p < .01). About onset timing in weeks postoperatively, the ORIF group had a statistically earlier symptom onset than the Rotator cuff repair (ARCR + ORCR) group (2.4 weeks vs. 6.0 weeks, p < .01). When classifying the onset timing into before and after the removal of the abduction pillow, the ORIF group showed a statistically higher rate of onset before brace removal than the Rotator cuff repair groups (p < .01). Differences in UDFS among shoulder surgeries were demonstrated in this study

Control system software, simulation, and robotic applications

All essential existing capabilities needed to create a man-machine interaction dynamics and performance (MMIDAP) capability are reviewed. The multibody system dynamics software program Order N DISCOS will be used for machine and musculo-skeletal dynamics modeling. The program JACK will be used for estimating and animating whole body human response to given loading situations and motion constraints. The basic elements of performance (BEP) task decomposition methodologies associated with the Human Performance Institute database will be used for performance assessment. Techniques for resolving the statically indeterminant muscular load sharing problem will be used for a detailed understanding of potential musculotendon or ligamentous fatigue, pain, discomfort, and trauma. The envisioned capacity is to be used for mechanical system design, human performance assessment, extrapolation of man/machine interaction test data, biomedical engineering, and soft prototyping within a concurrent engineering (CE) system

Design of a Portable and Compact Gyroscopic Device for Hand Rehabilitation

User centered design is an apt process for developing assistive devices, as user needs are given the utmost importance in this approach. On studying current, state of the art hand rehabilitation devices, it was inferred that there exists a need for a compact and portable hand rehabilitation device – one suitable for patients with adversely limited active range of motion of the hand. This thesis proposes a novel hand-held, portable device that is composed of a fully actuated rotor-gimbal assembly (US Patent Application: 62/413,130). The simultaneous motion of the rotor and gimbal results in a controlled gyroscopic torque that acts on the user’s hand. Based on the hand’s strength and mobility, the user may either synchronize the hand movement with that compelled by the device or restrict it. While the former results in the relaxation of muscles, the latter can potentially increase muscle co-ordination and muscle strength. The target specifications of the device were determined through interviews with personnel specialized in the field of hand rehabilitation. A working principle of the device was then established via a proof-of-concept model and mathematical simulations, which were further used to firm up the design parameters. The dynamic analysis of the device was then conducted to attest the structural integrity. Also, the range of forces imposed by the device on the hand were evaluated to be within safe measures through simulation and consecutive comparison with existing literature. Future work includes fabricating the final device and evaluating its performance via experiments with human subjects. hand were evaluated to be within safe measures through simulation and consecutive comparison with existing literature. Future work includes fabricating the final device and evaluating its performance via experiments with human subjects

Low cost digital fabrication approach for thumb orthoses

[EN] Purpose - The purpose of this paper is to describe a novel design workflow for the digital fabrication of custom- made orthoses (CMIO). It is intended to provide an easier process for clinical practitioners and orthotic technicians alike. It further functions to reduce the dependency of the operators' abilities and skills. Design/methodology/approach - The technical assessment covers low-cost three-dimensional (3D) scanning, free computer-aided design (CAD) software, and desktop 3D printing and acetone vapour finishing. To analyse its viability, a cost comparison was carried out between the proposed workflow and the traditional CMIO manufacture method. Findings - The results show that the proposed workflow is a technically feasible and cost-effective solution to improve upon the traditional process of design and manufacture of custom- made static trapeziometacarpal (TMC) orthoses. Further studies are needed for ensuring a clinically feasible approach and for estimating the efficacy of the method for the recovery process in patients. Social implications - The feasibility of the process increases the impact of the study, as the great accessibility to this type of 3D printers makes the digital fabrication method easier to be adopted by operators. Originality/value - Although some research has been conducted on digital fabrication of CMIO, few studies have investigated the use of desktop 3D printing in any systematic way. This study provides a first step in the exploration of a new design workflow using low-cost digital fabrication tools combined with non-manual finishing.Fernandez-Vicente, M.; Escario Chust, A.; Conejero Rodilla, A. (2017). Low cost digital fabrication approach for thumb orthoses. Rapid Prototyping Journal. 23(6):1020-1031. doi:10.1108/RPJ-12-2015-0187S1020103123