Robotic Orthosis for Assisting Physical Rehabilitation

Robotic Orthosis for Assisting Physical Rehabilitation presents a comprehensive study for designing advanced robotic orthosis that may contribute to the rehabilitation process of human beings. The book analyzes the mechanical design, electrical instrumentation, automatic control design and the validation methods of robotic orthoses. In the first chapters, a precise and complete description of the mechanical design methods for active orthoses is provided, showing the design schemes, efficient and useful materials, as well as the class of components needed to enforce the adequate interaction between the orthotic device and human user. The second part of the book analyzes electrical/electronic elements as well as the automatization strategies that may be implemented for developing active orthoses. The relevance of sensors and actuators that can drive the regulated motions that correspond to planned rehabilitation strategies is also presented. The third part of the book analyzes the clinical process needed to validate and apply robotic orthoses in medical protocols as well as established treatments. This process explains how to bring the biomedical technology into the actual market with the aim of helping people that are in the rehabilitation process. Several ethical, legal and administrative aspects are analyzed in terms of different national regulations, medical groups and some others.The last section of the book summarizes several examples of active orthoses developed under the earlier methodology described. Examples of upper and lower limbs, spinal cord, and neck orthoses are completely developed. These examples are illustrated at two levels - numerical simulations, and actual experimental evaluations of the proposed devices.

• Details the mechanical aspects, electrical and electronic instrumentation, automatic control strategies, and validation methodologies for developing robotic orthoses
• Presents the integration strategy that permits the design and construction of robotic orthoses under an integral point-of-view following strict technical rules, as well as formal medical protocolized procedures
• Features several examples of developed robotic orthoses