Decoding Different Reach-and-Grasp Movements Using Noninvasive Electroencephalogram

Grasping is one of the most indispensable functions of humans. Decoding reach-and-grasp actions from electroencephalograms (EEGs) is of great significance for the realization of intuitive and natural neuroprosthesis control, and the recovery or reconstruction of hand functions of patients with motor disorders. In this paper, we investigated decoding five different reach-and-grasp movements closely related to daily life using movement-related cortical potentials (MRCPs). In the experiment, nine healthy subjects were asked to naturally execute five different reach-and-grasp movements on the designed experimental platform, namely palmar, pinch, push, twist, and plug grasp. A total of 480 trials per subject (80 trials per condition) were recorded. The MRCPs amplitude from low-frequency (0.3–3 Hz) EEG signals were used as decoding features for further offline analysis. Average binary classification accuracy for grasping vs. the no-movement condition peaked at 75.06 ± 6.8%. Peak average accuracy for grasping vs. grasping conditions of 64.95 ± 7.4% could be reached. Grand average peak accuracy of multiclassification for five grasping conditions reached 36.7 ± 6.8% at 1.45 s after the movement onset. The analysis of MRCPs indicated that all the grasping conditions are more pronounced than the no-movement condition, and there are also significant differences between the grasping conditions. These findings clearly proved the feasibility of decoding multiple reach-and-grasp actions from noninvasive EEG signals. This work is significant for the natural and intuitive BCI application, particularly for neuroprosthesis control or developing an active human–machine interaction system, such as rehabilitation robot.

Compact Design of A Lightweight Rehabilitative Exoskeleton for Restoring Grasping Function in Patients with Hand Paralysis

BackgroundMillions of individuals suffer from upper extremity paralysis caused by neurological disorders including stroke, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, or other medical conditions. In order to restore motor control and enhance the quality of life of these patients, daily exercises and strengthening training are necessary. Robotic hand exoskeletons can substitute for the missing motor control and help to restore the functions performed in daily operations. They can also facilitate neuroplasticity to help rehabilitate hand function through routine use. However, most of the hand exoskeletons are bulky, stationary, and cumbersome to use.Methods We have utilized a recent design of a hand exoskeleton (Tenoexo) and modified the design to prototype a motorized, lightweight, fully wearable rehabilitative hand exoskeleton by combining rigid parts with a soft mechanism capable of producing various grasps needed for the execution of daily tasks. We have tested the performance of our developed hand exoskeleton in restoring hand functions in two quadriplegics with chronic cervical cord injury.ResultsMechanical evaluation of our exoskeleton showed that it can produce fingertip force up to 8 N and can cover 91.5 degree of range of motion in just 3 seconds. We further tested the robot in two quadriplegics with chronic hand paralysis, and observed immediate success on independent grasping of different daily objects. ConclusionsThe results suggest that our exoskeleton is a viable option for hand function assistance, allowing patients to regain lost finger control for everyday activities.

EFFECTS OF PHYSIOTHERAPY IN GERIATRIC PATIENT WITH DISTAL RADIUS FRACTURE: A CASE REPORT

Distal end radius fracture is said to the most common as well as more frequent fracture seen in community-dwelling individuals. Fracture distal end radius can lead to malunion, non-union, deformity ultimately leading to reduce the functional capacity of an individual. Hand functions are primarily affected in distal radial fracture. The patient was an old lady of 75 years who suffered a comminuted fracture distal end radius right side. She underwent surgery 6 days after the injury with open reduction and internal fixation. Three weeks after the surgery physiotherapy was started to increase range of motion, muscle strength and to reduce pain. Rehabilitation started at the rate of one session a day, six days a week. Rehabilitation activities include exercises to improve local circulation and relief pain, to restore normal range of motion, to improve ROM, to improve strength.

Robotic Hands a Base for Prosthetics - A Review

This review paper reports the findings of previously designed robotic hand and summarizes the advantages and limitations for modeling a robotic hand and proposes methods to overcome the limitations of the previously designed hand models. A robotic hand forms its base by mimicking the structure and motions of a Human hand and all studies are focused on improving the current models to have similar dexterity as of the human hand. Many Robotic hands have been created to mimic the human hand functions and gestures but they still lack the dexterity, compactness or affordability for prosthetic use. In this paper we have reviewed recently designed rigid robotic hands having rotating finger joints and soft robotic tendon actuated hands that use a single elastic block to create the whole finger so to reduce the rotating finger joints after reviewing the designs we have compiled a set of points that can be used as the framework for a design that can overcome the limitations of the previous designs.