Powered Orthoses for Augmenting Upper Limb Functionally

描述(申请人提供)：根据美国人口普查局的数据，大约有770万15岁以上的人报告说，由于神经肌肉损伤，他们无法用手臂举起或抬起甚至10磅的重量。广泛的研究表明，“电动矫形器”可以为这些人中的许多人提供巨大的好处。这些设备基本上由一个装有致动器、控制系统和电池的矫形器支架组成，通过在主要关节(类似于车辆上的动力刹车和转向)增加力和运动来恢复用户虚弱的上肢的部分功能。 尽管到目前为止实验结果令人鼓舞，但这项技术还没有成功地被骨科医生开发成大规模处方，主要是因为它还没有被转化为可以被临床医生理解和有益地应用的可靠成分。然而，ADA相信，一旦克服了剩余的工程挑战，材料、电子、电池和执行器方面的最新进展现在使这种商业开发变得可行。成功应对这些挑战是这一多阶段SBIR项目的总体目标。 第一阶段的具体目标是表明开发一种实用的、用于人体肘部的动力矫形器是可行的，志愿者受试者可以从中受益。在第二阶段和第三阶段，这项技术将被扩展并商业化，成为手、手腕和肩膀的“积木”矫形器。到目前为止，大多数研究都集中在帮助严重残疾人；然而，许多人只有轻微到中度的损伤，只需要简单的帮助就能享受明显更高的生活质量。一旦它们可用，矫形医生将能够使用这些灵活的部件-单独或以各种组合-为每个患者量身定做高度定制但负担得起的辅助设备，以匹配他们的残疾程度。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): According to the U.S. Bureau of the Census, approximately 7.7 million people over the age of 15 report they are unable to lift or carry even 10 pounds with their arms because of neuromuscular impairments. Extensive research suggests that "powered orthoses" could provide great benefit to many of these individuals. Comprised essentially of an orthotic brace fitted with an actuator, control system, and battery, these appliances restore partial functionality to users' weakened upper limbs by augmenting force and motion at major joints (similar to power brakes and steering on a vehicle). Despite encouraging experimental results to date, this technology has not been successfully developed for wide-scale prescription by orthotists, primarily because it has not yet been translated into reliable components that can be understood and beneficially applied by clinicians. However, ADA believes that recent advances in materials, electronics, batteries, and actuators now make this commercial development practical once the remaining engineering challenges are overcome. Successfully addressing those challenges is the overall goal of this multi-phase SBIR project. The specific Phase I goal is to show that development of a practical, powered orthosis for the human elbow is feasible and that volunteer subjects derive benefit. In Phases II and III, the technology will be expanded and commercialized as "building block" orthoses for the hand, wrist, and shoulder. Most research to date has focused on assisting the severely disabled; however, many individuals have only a slight to moderate impairment and need only a simple assist to enjoy a markedly higher quality of life. Once they are available, orthotists will be able to use these flexible components - alone or in various combinations - to tailor highly customized yet affordable aids for each patient that match their degree of disability.