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Development and clinical evaluation of a pediatric hand exoskeleton
PEXO is a fully wearable actuated pediatric hand exoskeleton developed to cover the special needs of children with strong impairment of hand function. The aim of the PEXO project is to provide affected children with a device that can support grasping in task-oriented training as well as daily life.
Keywords: hand exoskeleton; rehabilitation; therapy; wearable robotics; assistive device; usability;
Children with hand motor impairment due to cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, or pediatric stroke are considerably affected in their independence, development, and quality of life. Treatment conventionally includes task-oriented training in occupational therapy. In recent years, rehabilitation robotics have emerged to increase the deliverable dose and intensity of hand therapy with the aim to improve the therapeutic outcome. Current approaches are mostly limited to large stationary robotic devices for non-task-oriented training, or passive wearable devices for children with mild impairments.
A fully wearable actuated pediatric hand exoskeleton (PEXO) has been developed at the Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory (RELab). PEXO covers the special needs of children with strong impairments of hand function. It provides assistance in various grasp types needed for the execution of functional tasks. Appealing appearance, user-friendly design, and intuitive control with visual feedback of forearm muscle activity should keep the user motivated during training in the clinic. Due to its lightweight, fully portable and waterproof the design, PEXO bears the potential to transfer therapy from the clinic into daily life and at-home settings.
Currently, a feasibility study regarding the clinical application of PEXO in task-oriented training is performed at the Rehabilitation Centre Affoltern am Albis (part of University Children’s Hospital Zurich). On one hand, the aim of this study is to evaluate, whether children are able and willing to use PEXO in a goal-oriented manner. On the other hand, feedback from therapists regarding the usability of the device (donning and doffing, technical issues, etc.) is assessed.
To improve the performance and usability of PEXO, steady further development in agreement with the feasibility study is required. Therefore, new student projects may arise regularly and we are looking for interested and motivated people.
Children with hand motor impairment due to cerebral palsy, traumatic brain injury, or pediatric stroke are considerably affected in their independence, development, and quality of life. Treatment conventionally includes task-oriented training in occupational therapy. In recent years, rehabilitation robotics have emerged to increase the deliverable dose and intensity of hand therapy with the aim to improve the therapeutic outcome. Current approaches are mostly limited to large stationary robotic devices for non-task-oriented training, or passive wearable devices for children with mild impairments.
A fully wearable actuated pediatric hand exoskeleton (PEXO) has been developed at the Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory (RELab). PEXO covers the special needs of children with strong impairments of hand function. It provides assistance in various grasp types needed for the execution of functional tasks. Appealing appearance, user-friendly design, and intuitive control with visual feedback of forearm muscle activity should keep the user motivated during training in the clinic. Due to its lightweight, fully portable and waterproof the design, PEXO bears the potential to transfer therapy from the clinic into daily life and at-home settings.
Currently, a feasibility study regarding the clinical application of PEXO in task-oriented training is performed at the Rehabilitation Centre Affoltern am Albis (part of University Children’s Hospital Zurich). On one hand, the aim of this study is to evaluate, whether children are able and willing to use PEXO in a goal-oriented manner. On the other hand, feedback from therapists regarding the usability of the device (donning and doffing, technical issues, etc.) is assessed.
To improve the performance and usability of PEXO, steady further development in agreement with the feasibility study is required. Therefore, new student projects may arise regularly and we are looking for interested and motivated people.
Not specified
Not specified
• Enthusiasm for clinical/home applications of rehabilitation robotics
• Background in mechanical engineering/robotics or health sciences
• Experience in mechanical and/or electronics design favorable
• Interest in wearable robotic device development and testing
• Ability to work and independently and organizational talent
• Enthusiasm for clinical/home applications of rehabilitation robotics
• Background in mechanical engineering/robotics or health sciences
• Experience in mechanical and/or electronics design favorable
• Interest in wearable robotic device development and testing
• Ability to work and independently and organizational talent
Jan Dittli
PhD Candidate
Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory RELab, ETH Zürich
jan.dittli@hest.ethz.ch
Jan Dittli
PhD Candidate
Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory RELab, ETH Zürich
jan.dittli@hest.ethz.ch
Overview of Mechatronics topics and study subjects. Identification of minimum 10 pertinent refereed articles or works in the literature in consultation with supervisor or instructor. After 4 weeks, submission of a 2-page proposal outlining the value, state-of-the art and study plan based on these articles. After feedback on the substance and technical writing by the instructor, project commences.
