Abstract

AYALA-LOZANO, Juan Francisco et al. Mechanical design of an exoskeleton for upper limb rehabilitation. Rev. colomb. biotecnol [online]. 2015, vol.17, n.1, pp.79-90.  Epub July 13, 2021. ISSN 0123-3475.  https://doi.org/10.15446/rev.colomb.biote.v17n1.44188.

The pace of modern life, both socio-cultural and technologically, has led to an increase of diseases and conditions that affect the physical-motor capabilities of persons. This increase has originated the development of prototypes to help patients to regain mobility and strength of the affected upper limb. This work, deals with the mechanical structure design of an exoskeleton with 4 degrees freedom for upper limb. Which has the capacity to adjust to the Mexican patient anthropometry (arm length, forearm extension, geometry conditions of the back and the patient's height) BLITZ QFD method was applied to establish the conceptual design and loading service conditions on the structure. So, 5 quasi-static cases of study were defined and conditions for patient rehabilitation were subjected. Also by applying the finite element method the structure was analyzed due to service loading. The results presented in this work, show a new method for patient rehabilitation with mobility deficiencies in the upper limb. The proposed new design allows the rehabilitation of the upper limb under 4 degrees of freedom (tree degrees of freedom at shoulder and one at the elbow), which is perfect to perform active and passive therapy. Additionally, it is an equipment of low cost, which can be affordable to almost all the country population.

Keywords : FEM; Blitz QFD; exoskeletons; mechanical design.

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