(January 11, 2016) Lightweight
and soft, EsoGlove detects muscle signals and guides the hand to perform
rehabilitation exercises
Patients who have lost their hand functions due to injuries
or nerve-related conditions, such as stroke and muscular dystrophy, now have a
chance of restoring their hand movements by using a new lightweight and smart
rehabilitation device called EsoGlove developed by a research team from the
National University of Singapore (NUS).
Made of soft materials, this novel device is an improvement
from conventional robotic hand rehabilitation devices as it has sensors to
detect muscle signals and conforms to the natural movements of the human hand,
reducing discomfort and risk of injury. This robotic glove is also compact and
portable, so patients who are recovering at home or are bedridden could carry
out rehabilitation exercises with greater ease and comfort.
Assistant Professor Raye Yeow from the NUS Department of
Biomedical Engineering, who specialises in soft wearable robotics and is a key
member of the research team, explained, “For patients to restore their hand
functions, they need to go through rehabilitation programmes that involve
repetitive tasks such as gripping and releasing objects. These exercises are
often labour intensive and are confined to clinical settings. EsoGlove is
designed to enable patients to carry out rehabilitation exercises in various settings
– in the hospital wards, rehabilitation centres and even at home. Equipped with
technology that can detect and interpret muscle signals, EsoGlove can also
assist patients in daily activities, for instance by guiding the fingers to
perform tasks such as holding a cup.”
The NUS team comprises Asst Prof Yeow, his clinical
collaborator Dr Lim Jeong Hoon from the NUS Department of Medicine, as well as
PhD candidate Mr Yap Hong Kai and undergraduate student Mr Benjamin Ang Wee
Keong, who are both from the NUS Department of Biomedical Engineering.
Greater comfort and
convenience
Conventional robotic devices for hand rehabilitation consist
of rigid electromechanical components, which are heavy and uncomfortable for
patients.