Air Muscle Device for Ankle Stroke Rehabilitation

描述(申请人提供)：中风(CVA)是美国成人残疾的主要原因，据估计，在未来50年内，其患病率将增加一倍以上。如NIH PA-02-071号文件所述，拟议项目解决了对创新技术的需求，以增强残疾人的功能。许多持续中风的患者无法有效地使用他们偏瘫的下肢。日常活动的流动性有限对他们的生活质量产生不利影响，并损害他们的独立性和整体健康状况。使用偏瘫肢体进行重复任务练习的康复技术可能会改善中风患者的下肢功能和生活质量，但成本限制了可以使用这种疗法的患者数量。一种使用人造空气肌肉的创新辅助重复运动装置专门为偏瘫足的康复而设计。该项目的目的是研究该装置的可行性。该装置的微处理器控制采用了生物力学建模和机器人控制算法相结合的方法。将进行原型测试和评估，并完成试点患者评估。这项第一阶段的研究包括对该设备的详细设计、验证和测量，并收集了五名中风患者的试点数据。该项目的结果将提供有价值的数据，作为提交第二阶段随机临床试验的先决条件，以确定该设备在改善中风患者的生活质量和功能方面的临床疗效。该项目有可能为中风患者提供更多有效的康复技术。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Stroke (CVA) is the leading cause of adult disability in the United States and it is estimated that its prevalence will more than double over the next 50 years. The proposed project address the need for innovative technologies to enhance the function of individuals with disabilities as described in NIH PA-02- 071. Many patients who have sustained strokes are unable to effectively use their hemiparetic lower extremity. Limited mobility in the performance of daily activities adversely affects their quality of life and compromises their independence and overall health status. Rehabilitation techniques engaging the hemiparetic limb in repetitive task practice may improve lower extremity function and quality of life in patients with stroke, but costs limit the number of patients that can utilize this type of therapy. An innovative assistive repetitive motion device using an artificial air muscle has been designed specifically for the rehabilitation of the hemiparetic foot. The objective of this project is to investigate the feasibility of this device. Biomechanical modeling of the lower extremity combined with robotic control algorithms are utilized in microprocessor control of the device. Prototype testing and evaluation will be conducted and a pilot patient evaluation will be completed. This phase I study includes detailed design verification measurements on the device and the collection of pilot data on five stroke patients. The results from this project will provide valuable data as a pre-requisite for submission of a Phase II randomized clinical trial to determine the clinical efficacy of this device in improving the quality of life and function of stroke patients. This project has the potential to increase the availability of effective rehabilitation techniques to patients with stroke.