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Contenuto archiviato il 2022-11-15

Motorised Upper Limb Orthotic Systems

Obiettivo

MULOS will develop modular, lightweight powered structures for the upper limb incorporating advanced force and position feedback control.

With increasing age, a number of aspects of upper limb function, such as joint range of motion (ROM), strength, sensation, proprioception and dexterity are prone to deterioration as a consequence of disease and injury. The preservation of motor function and range of joint motion is an essential feature of maintaining independence in the elderly, and orthotic devices for the upper limb play a major part in achieving this aim. While in the past the preservation and restoration of joint motion have been achieved largely by therapists, such an approach cannot be economic in the long term as the number of older people in Europe increases dramatically. A key priority, therefore, is to harness technology to provide devices which can empower the independence of the older and disabled persons by the improvement, restoration or substitution of motor function in the joints of the upper limb.

The loss of upper extremity function may be temporary, progressive or permanent. There is a very important need for powered mobilising devices which are highly developed in terms of biofeedback and responsiveness.

These devices are needed to restore function in cases of temporary deficit, prevent or defer deterioration in progressive conditions, and to provide active assistance to limb segment movements for persons with severe neuro-muscular deficits caused by paresis or paralysis. Some devices will be 'worn' by the user if he or she has good mobility. Alternatively, powered mechanisms mounted on electric wheelchairs could help both function and training in those who had sufficient power to direct the servo mechanism but not enough, particularly anti-gravity support, to perform useful function on their own.

These requirements can be met by a unique and exciting possibility to produce a powered intelligent modular system which can be applied to joints of the upper limb for three distinct purposes:

- for passive movement (which has been shown to have beneficial effects upon the repair of bone, tendon, ligament and cartilage, and is tolerated remarkably well by patients, even in the presence of unhealed wounds)
- to facilitate active movement by exercise (to increase muscle strength)
- for powered assistive role where there is progressive loss of function, there would be the ability to add-on as the condition deteriorated (e.g. in multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, motor neuron disease)

The secret of success for such a combination and coordination of technologies will be in five essential features; modularity, simplicity, reliability, maintainability and cosmesis.

Technical Approach : The technical objective of this project is to develop modular, intelligent, powered orthoses for the improvement, restoration or substitution of motor function in the shoulder and elbow joints, and pronation/supination of the forearm. From the industrial point of view it will be necessary to harness information, control and materials technologies to produce a system at the correct price and specification to satisfy the perceived need for these orthotic systems.

The MULOS system will be suitable for use either on a wheelchair or furniture or, in some cases, when worn as an exoskeleton. The partners are particularly concerned about the economic aspects of the proposed system and great stress is placed on the need for a device which can be afforded by as many users as possible.

This will require developments in the following areas:

(i) It will be necessary to produce a lightweight, cosmetic modular structure to fit individuals of the full range of sizes.
(ii) Drive systems will be required to allow controlled movement of up to four degrees of freedom under the control regimes appropriate to the mode of use.
(iii) It should use software which is easily understood by users with absolutely no expertise in computers.
(iv) It must have safety features to provide absolute safety in the event of malfunction or misuse.

Impact and Expected Results : The production of a modular powered orthotic system applicable to the shoulder and elbow joints which is suitable both for powered assistance and for therapeutic measures. It will, in addition, be suitable for wheelchair mounting and it is intended that the system should be at the lowest possible cost.

Invito a presentare proposte

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Meccanismo di finanziamento

CSC - Cost-sharing contracts

Coordinatore

University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Contributo UE
Nessun dato
Indirizzo
Stephenson Building Claremont Road
NE1 7RU Newcastle upon Tyne
Regno Unito

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Costo totale
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Partecipanti (5)