Development of an interactive robotic device for upper limb rehabilitation

• Grant number: 17/18055-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: September 01, 2018
• End date: July 31, 2019
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering
• Agreement: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES)
• Principal Investigator: Glauco Augusto de Paula Caurin
• Grantee: Matheus Bizinotto Rezende
• Host Institution: Escola de Engenharia de São Carlos (EESC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 13/07276-1 - CEPOF - Optics and Photonic Research Center, AP.CEPID

Abstract

Due to technological advancement and the increasing demand for motor rehabilitation treatments, robotic rehabilitation has emerged as an interesting alternative for therapists and patients suffering from stroke, neurological diseases and spinal cord injuries. It is a field of study dedicated to the understanding and aid of rehabilitation treatments through the use of robotic devices that assist health professionals during therapy to improve treatment performance. The results already obtained for upper limb rehabilitation are promising, and a variety of robots are already available in the market today. In this scenario, the Laboratory of Robotic Rehabilitation (ReRob) of the School of Engineering of Sao Carlos has been developing several works in the area of robotic rehabilitation since 2007 with the objective of seeking new solutions in this area. This project aims to develop and construct a robotic device with three degrees of freedom for motor rehabilitation of upper limbs with configuration of the type end-effector. For this, the design and simulation of the device will be done in order to guarantee that it is backdrivable, a characteristic achieved with reduction of slack and friction, and once its technical viability is proven, the physical system will be constructed . An interaction control will be implemented following the assisted-as-needed paradigm in the manipulator, an effective solution for the application in question. It is intended to use such device to contribute to the advances in the area of robotic rehabilitation. (AU)