Robotic Glove Invented by NUS Team Helps Patients Restore Hand Movements

PR63070

SINGAPORE, Jan. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

Patients who have lost their hand functions due to injuries or nerve-related

conditions, such as stroke and muscular dystrophy, now have a chance of

restoring their hand movements by using a new lightweight and smart

rehabilitation device called EsoGlove developed by a research team from the

National University of Singapore (NUS).

The NUS team comprises Asst Prof Yeow, his clinical collaborator Dr Lim Jeong

Hoon from the NUS Department of Medicine, as well as PhD candidate Mr Yap Hong

Kai and undergraduate student Mr Benjamin Ang Wee Keong, who are both from the

NUS Department of Biomedical Engineering.

Greater comfort and convenience

Conventional robotic devices for hand rehabilitation consist of rigid

electromechanical components, which are heavy and uncomfortable for patients.

"EsoGlove is unique as it is made entirely of soft components and does not

require complicated mechanical setups. The main body of the glove is made of

fabric, with soft actuators embedded. It also has adjustable Velcro straps to

cater to different hand sizes," Asst Prof Yeow said.

EsoGlove is connected to a pump-valve control system that modulates the air

pressure which directs the soft actuators. When the actuators are pressurised

by air, they apply distributed forces along the length of the finger to promote

finger movements, such as bending, extending and twisting, to support different

hand motions. This novel method does not constrain the finger's natural

movements, unlike conventional devices that make use of rigid links and joints.

Each actuator also functions independently, providing assistance to each finger

separately.

The robotic glove can be applied in a table-top version for bedridden patients,

as well as a waist-belt version for patients who are mobile and recovering at

home.

Smart control and assistance

EsoGlove uses an intuitive control mechanism that involves the coupling of

electromyography and radio-frequency identification technologies. With this

feature, the robotic glove can detect a patient's intent to perform a hand

action on a particular object, such as picking up a pen or holding a mug. By

interpreting the muscle signals of the wearer, the robotic glove can help the

patient move the fingers to accomplish the specific tasks, involving objects of

various shapes and sizes, in an intuitive manner.

Said Dr Lim, who is also a Senior Consultant at the National University

Hospital's Division of Neurology, "With this unique approach, we can develop

therapeutic tools using safe and wearable robotic technology. Patients can take

the initiative in their own rehabilitative process, rather than being passive

recipients of therapists' intervention."

"As the soft actuators in the EsoGlove are made from non-ferromagnetic

materials, they are suitable for use in functional magnetic resonance imaging

studies. We hope that the robotic glove can contribute towards investigating

the brain's activity in relation to motor performance during hand

rehabilitation, and unravel the functional effects of soft rehabilitation

robotics on brain stimulation," added Mr Yap, who is also from the NUS Graduate

School for Integrative Sciences and Engineering.

Clinical studies and commercialisation

Asst Prof Yeow and his team plan to start pilot clinical studies at the

National University Hospital in February 2016 to validate the device's

performance, as well as to obtain patient and clinical feedback so as to

further refine the design of the device. The studies will take about six

months, involving 30 patients.

The team has also filed a patent for EsoGlove, and will start a spin-off

company to commercialise the device.

More information about the study:

https://news.nus.edu.sg/press-releases/9885-robotic-glove-by-nus

MEDIA CONTACT:

Carolyn FONG

National University of Singapore

DID: +65-6516-5399

Email: carolyn@nus.edu.sg

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SOURCE:  National University of Singapore