Adaptive exoskeleton for the stroke patient

Details: Released: 24.09.2020; Last updated: 07.11.2023; Hits: 8013

Many stroke patients around the world suffer from hemiplegia. A exoskeleton like the harmony of Harmonic Bionics help in physiotherapy to rebuild the nerve tracts in the arms and shoulders. RoboticSupported exoskeletons should be able to be quickly adapted to the patient's body size. For this purpose, the developers rely on the lubrication and maintenance-free as well as light ones bearings from Igus.

Suffer every year 16 million people a stroke worldwide. For the rehabilitation of patients in physiotherapy, the US company Harmonic Bionics, together with the National Science Foundation, has developed an exoskeleton that is specially designed to heal muscle damage.

The exoskeleton called Harmony relieves the shoulder joint and shoulder girdle. The use of the robot maximizes the patient's range of motion. So that's supposed to Robotic assisted aids enable natural and comprehensive therapy of the arms.

Exoskeleton for Bilateral Sync Therapy

Harmony relies on the Bilateral sync therapy (BST). To do this, the robot registers the healthy arm movements and synchronizes them to the side affected by the stroke. Exoskeletons therefore support the restoration of the nerve tracts.

Smallest, light wire race bearing with profiled raceways

So that the exoskeleton can move with the human body, the robot axis must be adjusted to the patient. Incorrect adjustment of exoskeletons leads to joint injuries. In order for their setting to take place quickly, the developers have linear guides and plain bearings from Igus employed.

Lubrication-free and quickly adapted plain bearings

Come into use iglidur Plain bearings, rail guides of Drylin Series T and R as well as linear bearings the Drylin R series. The components allow easy adjustment of the exoskeleton to the patient's height, arm length and shoulder width.

The used Polymer bearings made of the high-performance material Iglidur J are highly wear-resistant and durable. You don't need any external lubricants. This means that the plain bearings are maintenance-free, clean and hygienic, i.e. ideally suited for medical technology.

robotic arm | also as a kit

All components are made of lightweight materials such as plastic and aluminum. The compact construction can be integrated into the slim design of exoskeletons. "Thanks to the use of Igus polymer storage technology, exoskeletons can now be adapted to the patient within seconds," it shows Rohit John Varghese, Head of Research & Development at Harmonic Bionics.

Bionic for the benefit of people

Harmonic Bionics has redefined upper extremity neurorehabilitation with intelligent robotic technology. Harmony SHR works with a patient's scapulohumeral rhythm (SHR). This enables natural, comprehensive therapy for both arms. In combination with Harmony's Weight Support mode, this shoulder design enables post-stroke therapy to be initiated earlier because the exoskeletons support partial dislocation or subluxation of the shoulder prior to traditional therapy exercises.

Manus Award in gold for exoskeleton

In the year 2017 The Manus Award in gold, presented by Igus every two years, went to a company from the USA for an exoskeleton application. At that time, 541 users worldwide applied with their plastic bearing applications.

Constantly repeating assembly processes, in the worst case even when standing overhead, sooner or later very often lead to complaints in the neck, shoulders and back or disorders of the musculoskeletal system. To counteract this, the American Pathway LLC, in collaboration with Levitate Technologies, has created a light exoskeleton Designed to relieve muscle strain, support movement sequences and be worn effortlessly throughout the day.

Collaborative software for the development of the humanoid Roboy 2.0

In which Exoskeleton Airframe Special attention was paid to the rotating mechanisms, which must be able to rotate effortlessly even under high axial loads. To ensure this, a large number of different Iglidur bearings are built into the mechanical support system. They must be compared to metallic To store are not lubricated, which is a big plus when they are worn in direct contact with clothing, and they are light and corrosion-free. This means that the exoskeleton can also be used in difficult environmental conditions.