Active Exoskeleton Forearm for Patients with Monoparesis

Monoparesis is a condition in which the patient's one limb is very weak, not paralyzed, the patient can move the arm but can?t grip things with hand due to extreme muscle weakness. Monoparesis in the lower extremities is not as common of an occurrence as in the upper extremities. There is no cure fo

Project Title

Active Exoskeleton Forearm for Patients with Monoparesis

Project Area of Specialization

Wearables and Implantable

Project Summary

Monoparesis is a condition in which the patient's one limb is very weak, not paralyzed, the patient can move the arm but can’t grip things with hand due to extreme muscle weakness. Monoparesis in the lower extremities is not as common of an occurrence as in the upper extremities. There is no cure for monoparesis, but treatments typically include physical therapy and counseling to help recover muscle tone and function. Recovery will vary depending on diagnosis of temporary, partial or complete paralysis. This project will consider the patients with partial and early stages monoparesis to prevent patients to reach the stage of complete paralysis. Effective monoparesis rehabilitation depends on repeated limb practice with voluntary Monoparesis is a condition in which the patient's one limb is very weak, not paralyzed, the patient can move the arm but can’t grip things with hand due to extreme muscle weakness. Monoparesis in the lower extremities is not as common of an occurrence as in the upper extremities. There is no cure for monoparesis, but treatments typically include physical therapy and counseling to help recover muscle tone and function. Recovery will vary depending on diagnosis of temporary, partial or complete paralysis. This project will consider the patients with partial and early stages monoparesis to prevent patients to reach the stage of complete paralysis. Effective monoparesis rehabilitation depends on repeated limb practice with voluntary efforts.

The focus of this project will be on development of an exoskeleton hand  for the multi-joint physical training of fingers and grip of the mono paralyzed hand and elbow.
The project is to make the fingers and the elbow joint to move with the help of exoskeleton in order to help the patients to recover by exercise of the muscles and assist him performing daily task as picking and holding the objects. Project consists of an exoskeleton which have actuators for each of five fingers of hand and also the elbow joint of the arm. This exoskeleton forearm is specifically made for monoparesis patients and the persons with monoparesis to give them the proper therapy.

Project Objectives

Following are the objectives of the project:

1. To design an active exoskeleton forearm for the rehabilitation and to enhance the gripping power of the patients with monoparesis
2. To develop the active exoskeleton forearm for the rehabilitation and to enhance the gripping power of the patients with monoparesis
3. To test the effectiveness/usefulness of the device on healthy patients.

Project Implementation Method

The project starts with the CAD model of the exoskeleton for the forearm of a specific measurements of the forearm with proper dimensioning, the design may be simulated for analysis using SolidWorks and afterwards 3D-printed to develop the physical model of the exoskeleton. The actuators and sensors used will be calibrated as per the requirement and then integrated with the system. Assembling all the components on the exoskeleton and test it for active actuation and use. Then finally testing our project on healthy subject.

Following is the step by step methodology of the project:

1. Conceptual Design

First of all the mechanism’s concept design will be drawn by hand or using a software to visualize a concept about how the project will work.

2. CAD Model

Then all these mechanisms will be drawn in Solid Works and its simulation and animation will be done.

3. Detailed Design

Detailed design calculations and mathematical modelling of the system will be done.

4. Material/Components Selection

Then the suitable components and material for the project designed parts will beselected and purchased.

5. Fabrication

All The project will be fabricated in two parts given below:

• Hand Exoskeleton

• Forearm Exoskeleton

6. Integration

Both of the mechanisms will be integrated together to form a whole system.

7. Programming

Then programming will be done for the micro controller (ESP32/Arduino), for integrating the all sensors with the actuators.

8. Implementation

After fabrication of the mechanisms, programming of the controller and assembling of the hand and forearm exoskeleton, the sensors will be integrated with the actuators and then, the forearm exoskeleton will be prepared to work.

9. Testing

In this phase, the effectiveness/usefulness of the device on healthy patients willbe tested.

Benefits of the Project

Rehabilitation of patients with this exoskeleton should encompass all aspects of the patient's well-being and include physical, and medical therapies for the monoparesis. The patient will be encouraged with time by time improvement of his/her disease. Financial, and other counseling won't  be necessary as the patient can improve his/her health at home or any place due to portability of this project. The social impact of these efforts primarily will be on the patient's quality of life, and secondarily, on family members and friends. Economic impact also depends on many factors, as the physiotherapy cost is too costly and also staff is required for the physiotherapy,but with this project no staff is required for the rehabilitation and also it is cost effective because its a low one time investment. It will help patients to continue working and improving their health anywhere.

Technical Details of Final Deliverable

Technical Details of Final Deliverable:

The Exoskeleton forearm is of specific measurements of the forearm. The exoskeleton will consists of 5 Fingers of hand and the elbow joint of the forearm. The main components of exoskeleton contains the frame, sensors, actuators, and power system. The structure covers the outside of forearm and hand used as leverage of movement. The exoskeleton has sensors which detect the movement of a patient’s forearm and then sends the signal to the controller which then move the actuators and has a feedback control through which the exoskeleton works.

Final Deliverable of the Project

HW/SW integrated system

Type of Industry

Health

Technologies

Robotics, Wearables and Implantables

Sustainable Development Goals

Good Health and Well-Being for People

Required Resources

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