Maximising Mobility With A Lightweight Leg Exoskeleton
Opportunity
Every year, as many as 50 million people are involved in vehicular crashes worldwide, many of whom suffer from debilitating injuries that could leave their lower limbs crippled. Traditionally, patients are given a combination of physical and occupational therapy to help them regain function in their legs, but more recently, doctors have turned to robotic and other assistive devices to help with rehabilitation.
Through computer-controlled motors and wearable exoskeletons, robotic rehabilitation automates the therapy process, allowing for intensive and repetitive movement training while simultaneously easing the therapists’ workload. Assistive devices also come with motion sensors that measure a patient’s progress in real-time, providing for timely adjustments to their training regimen or to the motor’s settings.
However, most currently existing rehabilitative devices are heavy, limiting their use to clinical settings. Bulky devices also transmit the motor’s power inefficiently and can only carry out a limited set of lower limb motions, ultimately compromising its rehabilitative performance. Moreover, many current wearable robots fit patients poorly, often forcing their legs into awkward, uncomfortable positions.
There is therefore a need for novel rehabilitative devices that are lightweight, carry powerful motors and can conform comfortably to a patient’s lower limb anatomy.
Technology
This new technology describes a wearable apparatus that helps restore leg mobility by using a network of motors and cables to power a lightweight lower-limb exoskeleton. The movement assistance device includes a compact backpack containing motors, which provide mechanical force to the rest of the apparatus, and a control unit, which allows the user to monitor their progress and adjust the device’s settings.
A system of cables and wheels then transmit the motors’ force to a modular exoskeleton that aids in movement and supports the joints of the impaired limb. An adjustable waist strap connects the backpack to the exoskeleton and comfortably secures the overall apparatus to the user’s body.
Compared with existing bulky rehabilitative robots, the current technology uses a lightweight frame for the lower limb exoskeleton, consisting mainly of two supportive frames that run along both sides of the leg. The frames can be adjusted to fit a variety of limb sizes and feature mechanical joints that conform to the wearer’s hip, knee and ankle. Combined with the compact backpack, this novel technology poses no impediment to the wearer’s movement or comfort.
A perspective view of the wearable exoskeleton as seen on the impaired lower limb of the patient. The adjustable exoskeleton aids in movement and supports the wearer's joints—helping restore leg mobility.
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