Bimanual Robotic Rehabilitation System with Variable Interaction Modes

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 DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase-II project proposes a robotic system for rehabilitation of the arm and hand of stroke survivors. The system builds on hardware developed under a DARPA program and software being developed under the NIH Phase-I project. The existing hardware, called Proficio(tm), is presently being used in Phase I to develop and test BiArm(tm), a system consisting of two Proficio robot arms that enable bimanual rehabilitation. Phase II will focus on the design and development of Teneo(tm), a user- attachment for Proficio that will enable users to train hand-closing and hand-opening motions while simultaneously moving their arm to reach and grasp real objects. This novel system will be supported by a software architecture enabling development of rich visual, haptic, and physics-based environments for meaningful and engaging therapeutic games that can be tailored to patients' abilities and needs. The proposed SBIR Phase-II activities are divided into 3 aims. The first aim is to design and integrate an affordable robot end-effector (Teneo) for hand-rehabilitation. The new module will attach to the Proficio robot and will assist patients in performing hand-opening/closing motions to support activities of daily living (reaching for and grasping an object, for example). The second aim is to develop software interfaces and robot-control strategies that facilitate development of new rehabilitation strategies and empower therapists to employ activities tailored to each patient. This work will include development of powerful software modules including engaging rehabilitation activities that work in concert with the Proficio/Teneo control system. The third ai is to perform dual-site usability studies at two of the leading rehabilitation research facilities n the country. There are two long-term commercial goals: 1) develop a robotic system that researchers can use to rapidly innovate and develop new data-driven arm-and-hand rehabilitation strategies, and 2) empower therapists to tailor rehabilitation activities to individal patients while tracking progress and keeping patients engaged.