scholarly journals Task-Based Design Approach: Development of a Planar Cable-Driven Parallel Robot for Upper Limb Rehabilitation

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (12) ◽  
pp. 5635
Author(s):  
Ferdaws Ennaiem ◽  
Abdelbadiâ Chaker ◽  
Med Amine Laribi ◽  
Juan Sandoval ◽  
Sami Bennour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Optimal Design ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Position Control ◽  
Center Of Mass ◽  
Parallel Robot ◽  
Elastic Stiffness ◽  
Upper Limb Rehabilitation ◽  
Control Approach ◽  
Judicious Choice

This paper deals with the optimal design of a planar cable-driven parallel robot (CDPR), with three degrees of freedom, intended for assisting the patient’s affected upper limb along a prescribed movement. A Qualisys motion capture system was used to record the prescribed task performed by a healthy subject. For each pose taken by the center of mass of the end-effector, the cable tensions, the elastic stiffness and the dexterity were optimized while satisfying a set of constraints. First, a multiobjective formulation of the optimization problem was adopted. Since selecting a single solution among the multiple ones given by the Pareto front presents an issue, a mono-objective formulation was chosen, where the objective function was defined as a weighted sum of the chosen criteria. The appropriate values of the weighted coefficients were studied with the aim of identifying their influence on the optimization process and, thus, a judicious choice was made. A prototype of the optimal design of the CDPR was developed and validated experimentally on the prescribed workspace using the position control approach for the motors. The tests showed promising reliability of the proposed design for the task.

scholarly journals Sensitivity Based Selection of an Optimal Cable-Driven Parallel Robot Design for Rehabilitation Purposes

Robotics ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 7
Author(s):  
Ferdaws Ennaiem ◽  
Abdelbadiâ Chaker ◽  
Juan Sebastián Sandoval Arévalo ◽  
Med Amine Laribi ◽  
Sami Bennour ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pareto Front ◽  
Parallel Robot ◽  
Elastic Stiffness ◽  
Upper Limb Rehabilitation ◽  
Daily Life Activities ◽  
System A ◽  
The Monte Carlo Method ◽  
Genetic Algorithm Method ◽  
Limb Rehabilitation ◽  
Selection Of

This paper deals with the design of an optimal cable-driven parallel robot (CDPR) for upper limb rehabilitation. The robot’s prescribed workspace is identified with the help of an occupational therapist based on three selected daily life activities, which are tracked using a Qualisys motion capture system. A preliminary architecture of the robot is proposed based on the analysis of the tracked trajectories of all the activities. A multi-objective optimization process using the genetic algorithm method is then performed, where the cable tensions and the robot size are selected as the objective functions to be minimized. The cables tensions are bounded between two limits, where the lower limit ensures a positive tension in the cables at all times and the upper limit represents the maximum torque of the motor. A sensitivity analysis is then performed using the Monte Carlo method to yield the optimal design selected out of the non-dominated solutions, forming the obtained Pareto front. The robot with the highest robustness toward the disturbances is identified, and its dexterity and elastic stiffness are calculated to investigate its performance.

CONTROL OF FOREARM MODULE IN UPPER-LIMB REHABILITATION ROBOT FOR REDUCTION AND BIOMECHANICAL ASSESSMENT OF PRONATOR HYPERTONIA OF STROKE PATIENTS

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (02) ◽  
pp. 1650008 ◽  
Author(s):  
PIN-CHENG KUNG ◽  
CHOU-CHING K. LIN ◽  
SHU-MIN CHEN ◽  
MING-SHAUNG JU
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Position Control ◽  
Biomechanical Properties ◽  
Torque Control ◽  
Rehabilitation Robot ◽  
Stroke Patients ◽  
Upper Limb Rehabilitation ◽  
Biomechanical Assessment ◽  
Custom Made ◽  
Limb Rehabilitation

Spastic hypertonia causes loss of range of motion (ROM) and contractures in patients with post-stroke hemiparesis. The pronation/supination of the forearm is an essential functional movement in daily activities. We developed a special module for a shoulder-elbow rehabilitation robot for the reduction and biomechanical assessment of pronator/supinator hypertonia of the forearm. The module consisted of a rotational drum driven by an AC servo motor and equipped with an encoder and a custom-made torque sensor. By properly switching the control algorithm between position control and torque control, a hybrid controller able to mimic a therapist’s manual stretching movements was designed. Nine stroke patients were recruited to validate the functions of the module. The results showed that the affected forearms had significant increases in the ROM after five cycles of stretching. Both the passive ROM and the average stiffness were highly correlated to the spasticity of the forearm flexor muscles as measured using the Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). With the custom-made module and controller, this upper-limb rehabilitation robot may be able to aid physical therapists to reduce hypertonia and quantify biomechanical properties of the muscles for forearm rotation in stroke patients.

scholarly journals Diseño mecánico de un exoesqueleto para rehabilitación de miembro superior

2015 ◽  
Vol 17 (1) ◽  
pp. 79-90 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juan Francisco Ayala Lozano ◽  
Guillermo Urriolagoitia Sosa ◽  
Beatriz Romero Ángeles ◽  
Christopher René Torres San-Miguel ◽  
Luis Antonio Aguilar-Pérez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Mechanical Design ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Structure Design ◽  
Upper Limb Rehabilitation ◽  
Palabras Clave ◽  
Mexican Patient ◽  
Almost All ◽  
Limb Rehabilitation

<strong>Título en ingles: Mechanical design of an exoskeleton for upper limb rehabilitation</strong><p><strong>Título corto: Diseño mecánico de un exoesqueleto</strong></p><p><strong>Resumen:</strong> El ritmo de vida actual, tanto sociocultural como tecnológico, ha desembocado en un aumento de enfermedades y padecimientos que afectan las capacidades físico-motrices de los individuos. Esto ha originado el desarrollo de prototipos para auxiliar al paciente a recuperar la movilidad y la fortaleza de las extremidades superiores afectadas. El presente trabajo aborda el diseño de una estructura mecánica de un exoesqueleto con 4 grados de libertad para miembro superior. La cual tiene como principales atributos la capacidad de ajustarse a la antropometría del paciente mexicano (longitud del brazo, extensión del antebrazo, condiciones geométricas de la espalda y altura del paciente). Se aplicó el método <em>BLITZ QFD</em> para obtener el diseño conceptual óptimo y establecer adecuadamente las condiciones de carga de servicio. Por lo que, se definieron 5 casos de estudio cuasi-estáticos e implantaron condiciones para rehabilitación de los pacientes. Asimismo, mediante el Método de Elemento Finito (MEF) se analizaron los esfuerzos y deformaciones a los que la estructura está sometida durante la aplicación de los agentes externos de servicio. Los resultados presentados en éste trabajo exhiben una nueva propuesta para la rehabilitación de pacientes con problemas de movilidad en miembro superior. Donde el equipo propuesto permite la rehabilitación del miembro superior apoyado en 4 grados de libertad (tres grados de libertad en el hombro y uno en el codo), el cual es adecuado para realizar terapias activas y pasivas. Asimismo, es un dispositivo que está al alcance de un mayor porcentaje de la población por su bajo costo y fácil desarrollo en la fabricación.</p><p><strong>Palabras clave:</strong> MEF, Blitz QFD, exoesqueletos, diseño mecánico.</p><p><strong>Abstract</strong>: The pace of modern life, both socio-cultural and technologically, has led to an increase of diseases and conditions that affect the physical-motor capabilities of persons. This increase has originated the development of prototypes to help patients to regain mobility and strength of the affected upper limb. This work, deals with the mechanical structure design of an exoskeleton with 4 degrees freedom for upper limb. Which has the capacity to adjust to the Mexican patient anthropometry (arm length, forearm extension, geometry conditions of the back and the patient’s height) BLITZ QFD method was applied to establish the conceptual design and loading service conditions on the structure.  So, 5 quasi-static cases of study were defined and conditions for patient rehabilitation were subjected. Also by applying the finite element method the structure was analyzed due to service loading. The results presented in this work, show a new method for patient rehabilitation with mobility deficiencies in the upper limb. The proposed new design allows the rehabilitation of the upper limb under 4 degrees of freedom (tree degrees of freedom at shoulder and one at the elbow), which is perfect to perform active and passive therapy. Additionally, it is an equipment of low cost, which can be affordable to almost all the country population.</p><p><strong>Key words:</strong> FEM, Blitz QFD, exoskeletons, mechanical design<strong>.</strong></p><p><strong>Recibido:</strong> agosto 20 de 2014   <strong>Aprobado:</strong> marzo 26 de 2015</p>

scholarly journals Development and Implementation of an End-Effector Upper Limb Rehabilitation Robot for Hemiplegic Patients with Line and Circle Tracking Training

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yali Liu ◽  
Chong Li ◽  
Linhong Ji ◽  
Sheng Bi ◽  
Xuemin Zhang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Functional Ability ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Muscle Activation ◽  
Movement Pattern ◽  
Interaction Force ◽  
Rehabilitation Robot ◽  
End Effector ◽  
Upper Limb Rehabilitation ◽  
Limb Rehabilitation

Numerous robots have been widely used to deliver rehabilitative training for hemiplegic patients to improve their functional ability. Because of the complexity and diversity of upper limb motion, customization of training patterns is one key factor during upper limb rehabilitation training. Most of the current rehabilitation robots cannot intelligently provide adaptive training parameters, and they have not been widely used in clinical rehabilitation. This article proposes a new end-effector upper limb rehabilitation robot, which is a two-link robotic arm with two active degrees of freedom. This work investigated the kinematics and dynamics of the robot system, the control system, and the realization of different rehabilitation therapies. We also explored the influence of constraint in rehabilitation therapies on interaction force and muscle activation. The deviation of the trajectory of the end effector and the required trajectory was less than 1 mm during the tasks, which demonstrated the movement accuracy of the robot. Besides, results also demonstrated the constraint exerted by the robot provided benefits for hemiplegic patients by changing muscle activation in the way similar to the movement pattern of the healthy subjects, which indicated that the robot can improve the patient’s functional ability by training the normal movement pattern.

Parallel Articulated-Cable Exercise Robot (PACER): Novel Home-Based Cable-Driven Parallel Platform Robot for Upper Limb Neuro-Rehabilitation

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aliakbar Alamdari ◽  
Venkat Krovi
Keyword(s):  
Upper Limb ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Dimensional Space ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Parallel Architecture ◽  
Upper Limb Rehabilitation ◽  
Home Based ◽  
Tensile Forces ◽  
Parallel Platform

This paper examines the design, analysis and control of a novel hybrid articulated-cable parallel platform for upper limb rehabilitation in three dimensional space. The proposed lightweight, low-cost, modular reconfigurable parallel-architecture robotic device is comprised of five cables and a single linear actuator which connects a six degrees-of-freedom moving platform to a fixed base. This novel design provides an attractive architecture for implementation of a home-based rehabilitation device as an alternative to bulky and expensive serial robots. The manuscript first examines the kinematic analysis prior to developing the dynamic equations via the Newton-Euler formulation. Subsequently, different spatial motion trajectories are prescribed for rehabilitation of subjects with arm disabilities. A low-level trajectory tracking controller is developed to achieve the desired trajectory performance while ensuing that the unidirectional tensile forces in the cables are maintained. This is now evaluated via a simulation case-study and the development of a physical testbed is underway.

DYNAMIC MODELING AND EVALUATION OF A ROBOTIC EXOSKELETON FOR UPPER-LIMB REHABILITATION

2011 ◽  
Vol 08 (01) ◽  
pp. 83-102 ◽  
Author(s):  
MOHAMMAD HABIBUR RAHMAN ◽  
THIERRY KITTEL-OUIMET ◽  
MAAROUF SAAD ◽  
JEAN-PIERRE KENNÉ ◽  
PHILIPPE S. ARCHAMBAULT
Keyword(s):  
Dynamic Modeling ◽  
Upper Limb ◽  
Degrees Of Freedom ◽  
Vital Role ◽  
Torque Control ◽  
Control Technique ◽  
Wrist Flexion ◽  
Upper Limb Rehabilitation ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Physically Disabled People

Proper functioning of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist movements play a vital role in the performance of essential daily activities. To assist physically disabled people with impaired upper-limb function, we have been developing an exoskeleton robot (ExoRob) to rehabilitate and to ease upper limb motion. The proposed ExoRob will be comprised of seven degrees of freedom (DOFs) to enable natural movements of the human upper-limb. This paper focuses on the kinematic and dynamic modeling of the proposed ExoRob that corresponds to human upper-limbs. For this purpose, a nonlinear computed torque control technique was employed. In simulations, trajectory tracking corresponding to typical rehabilitation exercises were carried out to evaluate the performances of the developed model and controller. For the experimental part, only 3DOFs (elbow, wrist flexion/extension, wrist abduction/adduction) were considered. Simulated and experimental results show that the controller was able to maneuver the proposed ExoRob efficiently in order to track the desired trajectories, which in this case consisted in passive arm movements. Such movements are widely used in therapy and were performed efficiently with the developed ExoRob and the controller.

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