A New Sitting-Type Lower-Limb Rehabilitation Robot Based on a Spatial Parallel Kinematic Machine

Abstract: The conceptual design of a new sitting-type lower-limb rehabilitation robot along with simplified motion control for its passive range of motion therapies is put forth here The suggested system’s design is demonstrated and verified using computer-based numerical simulations For this, the desired motion trajectory is generated with the help of a clinically obtained gait data-set The robustness of the proposed simplified motion control scheme is verified with the variation of the physical parameters of the patients’ limb

Abstract: The article discusses the structure and model of a robotic system for the rehabilitation of the lower limbs based on a passive orthosis in the form of a serial RRRR mechanism and an active parallel 3-PRRR mechanism. Effective numerical methods and algorithms were developed and tested that made it possible to determine the minimum geometric parameters of the active parallel mechanism that ensure the movement of the passive orthosis within the workspace under clinical data when simulating walking. The structure is proposed. The basis parameters for the rehabilitation system design are investigated. To implement the developed methods, an effective algorithm, software package, and visualization system for exported three-dimensional workspaces in STL format were synthesized. The results of mathematical modeling and analysis of the results are given.

Abstract: This paper presents a survey of existing robotic systems for lower-limb rehabilitation. It is a general assumption that robotics will play an important role in therapy activities within rehabilitation treatment. In the last decade, the interest in the field has grown exponentially mainly due to the initial success of the early systems and the growing demand caused by increasing numbers of stroke patients and their associate rehabilitation costs. As a result, robot therapy systems have been developed worldwide for training of both the upper and lower extremities. This work reviews all current robotic systems to date for lower-limb rehabilitation, as well as main clinical tests performed with them, with the aim of showing a clear starting point in the field. It also remarks some challenges that current systems still have to meet in order to obtain a broad clinical and market acceptance.

Abstract: This paper addresses the architecture optimization of a three-degree-of-freedom translational parallel mechanism designed for machining applications. The design optimization is conducted on the basis of a prescribed Cartesian workspace with prescribed kinetostatic performances. The resulting machine, the Orthoglide, features three fixed parallel linear joints which are mounted orthogonally, and a mobile platform which moves in the Cartesian x-y-z space with fixed orientation. The interesting features of the Orthoglide are a regular Cartesian workspace shape, uniform performances in all directions, and good compactness. A small-scale prototype of the Orthoglide under development is presented at the end of this paper.

Abstract: This paper addresses the architecture optimization of a 3-DOF translational parallel mechanism designed for machining applications. The design optimization is conducted on the basis of a prescribed Cartesian workspace with prescribed kinetostatic performances. The resulting machine, the Orthoglide, features three fixed parallel linear joints which are mounted orthogonally and a mobile platform which moves in the Cartesian x-y-z space with fixed orientation. The interesting features of the Orthoglide are a regular Cartesian workspace shape, uniform performances in all directions and good compactness. A small-scale prototype of the Orthoglide under development is presented at the end of this paper.

Abstract: This study explains the design and control of three degrees of freedom therapeutic exercise robot (Physiotherabot) for the lower limbs of a patient who needs rehabilitation after a spinal cord injury (SCI), stroke, muscle disorder, or a surgical operation. In order to control this robot, a “Human–Machine Interface” with a rule-based control structure was developed. The robot manipulator (RM) can perform all active and passive exercises as well as learn specific exercise motions and perform them without the physiotherapist (PT) through the Human–Machine Interface. Furthermore, if a patient reacts against the robot manipulator during the exercise, the robot manipulator can change the position according to feedback data. Thus, the robot manipulator can serve as both therapeutic exercise equipment and as a physiotherapist in terms of motion capability. Experiments carried out on healthy subjects have demonstrated that the RM can perform the necessary exercise movements as well as imitate the manual exercises performed by the PT.

Abstract: Dimensionless analysis ensures that differences in sizes (e.g. height and weight) of children have a minimal influence on gait parameters. The results of changes in speed on gait parameters were examined using dimensionless analysis on data from a prospective 5-year study of 16 children. Linear regression analysis of peak and trough values of temporal distance parameters, ground reaction forces, joint angles, moments and powers provide a quantitative description of gait development with normalised speed. These linear relationships can be used to estimate gait parameters from speed measurements for normal subjects. However, caution is advised in using the data to attempt to predict an individual's gait parameters due to the wide spread of data about the regression lines and we do not recommend that the data be used to extrapolate the regression data to wider speed ranges.