Smart wearable mechatronic devices for rehabilitation

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Hundreds of millions of people around the world suffer from musculoskeletal disorders and many struggle to find a therapy that works for them. To address this problem, the proposed research program focuses on solving the engineering challenges associated with the development and integration of nonintrusive smart wearable mechatronic braces for upper-body rehabilitation. This research program builds on the applicant’s previous experience with the design, development and testing of medical mechatronic devices and is aimed at developing wearable mechatronic braces that can constantly measure musculoskeletal performance and adjust brace motion to automatically provide support and implement therapeutic treatment. Mechatronic devices have already been shown to be beneficial as a complement to existing rehabilitation programs. Further benefit can be obtained from devices that are worn by patients during daily living in order to constantly track musculoskeletal performance. For this purpose, novel design solutions are needed that minimize weight and size, improve sensing ability, implement appropriate decision-making control systems and enhance human–device communication. Advances in related technologies, such as sensors, actuators, materials and embedded systems make it feasible to find a solution. The short-term objectives of the proposed research are as follows: 1- Develop mechatronic braces formed by specialized modular mechanisms and actuators that provide appropriate forces and range of motion to match that of the human body. Research will be directed towards the integration of various actuation systems, the design of sensing and actuation modules, and the formulation of a module selection strategy. 2- Evaluate sensor placement and integration within a brace, as well as optimize the sensor signal-to-noise ratio. The use and integration of various types of sensors will be investigated, including position, muscle activity, applied force and temperature. Research projects will be related to improving sensing ability and developing methods for fusing the signals from different types of sensors. 3- Evaluate methods for improving the transfer of information between mechatronic devices and humans. Research directed at the human–device interface includes determining how the user can interact with a mechatronic brace via a mobile device or computer or through gesture recognition. 4- Design novel control systems that respond to monitoring sensors and adapt the movement of a brace to provide therapeutic treatment. These control systems need to integrate the sensor data, a decision making process that considers the treatment plan, and the execution of the plan through the control of actuator motion. The decision making process is based on a database of biofeedback that correlates what the brace sensors detect and the actions performed by the body. The results of the proposed research will create an opportunity to advance the field of mechatronic devices that work in close proximity to humans. Patients will benefit through the creation of novel rehabilitation mechatronic systems that are cost effective, reliable, safe, user friendly and can provide better therapies and faster recovery. Therapists will benefit from improved communication with patients and from the availability of data that can lead to the development of better therapies. These devices will be of particular significance to the Canadian health care and rehabilitation device industries, through the creation of advanced technologies with huge market potential. The long-term goal of this program is to revolutionize the field of rehabilitation by enhancing quality of life, untethering patients from therapy centres and reducing the burden on Canada’s overtaxed health care system.