Design of Spiral-Cable Forearm Exoskeleton to Assist Supination for Hemiparetic Stroke Subjects
Year: 2022
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: We present the development of a cable-based passive forearm exoskeleton that is designed to assist supination for hemiparetic stroke survivors. Our device uniquely provides torque sufficient for counteracting spasticity within a below-elbow apparatus. The mechanism consists of a spiral single-tendon routing embedded in a rigid forearm brace and terminated at the hand and upper-forearm. A spool with an internal releasable-ratchet mechanism allows the user to manually retract the tendon and rotate the hand to counteract involuntary pronation synergies due to stroke. We characterize the mechanism with benchtop testing and five healthy subjects, and perform a preliminary assessment of the exoskeleton with a single chronic stroke subject having minimal supination ability. The mechanism can be integrated into an existing active hand-opening orthosis to enable supination support during grasping tasks, and also allows for a future actuated supination strategy.
Authors: Ava Chen, Lauren Winterbottom, Katherine O'Reilly, Sangwoo Park, Dawn Nilsen, Joel Stein, Matei Ciocarlie
Institution: Columbia University
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: green
Award: G1452676043
OpenAlex ID: W4286909975