Mit Skywalker

Medical and Healthcare Robotics: New Paradigms and Recent Advances provides an overview and exclusive insights into current trends, the most recent innovations, and concerns in medical robotics. The book covers the major areas of medical robotics, including rehabilitation devices, artificial organs, assistive technologies, service robotics, and robotic devices for surgery, exploration, diagnosis, therapy, and training. It highlights the limitations and the importance of robotics and artificial intelligence for medical and healthcare applications. The book is a timely and comprehensive reference guide for undergraduate-level students, graduate students, and researchers in the fields of electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, mechatronics, control systems engineering, and biomedical engineering. It can be useful for master’s programs, leading consultants, and industrial companies. The book can be of high interest for physicians and physiotherapists and all technical people in the medical and biomedical fields. Covers the main areas of medical and healthcare robotics Presents the most recent innovations and trends in medical and healthcare robotics Contains chapters written by eminent researchers in the field

The Skywalker as found in MIT's Newman lab is a device that performs Body Weight Support Treadmill Therapy a form of walking therapy for recovering stroke patients. During clinical trials conducted in the fall of 2014, it became evident that the design of the Skywalker did not fully address how patients would mount and dismount the Skywalker. The current iteration of the design requires the patients to use stairs to mount and dismount the system. Given the gait impairment of the patients using the system it is evident that an alternative must be provided for the stairs in order to make the Skywalker accessible to severe stroke patients. The following thesis explores the idea of using a lead-screw driven platform lift to solve the problem. While the solution developed during the design process is a viable option, the high material cost disqualifies the solution discussed in this thesis as a viable option for implementation in the Skywalker system. The author recommends that alternative solutions such as ramps may provide a more low-cost and effective option for mounting and dismounting the Skywalker.

This revised, updated, and substantially expanded third edition provides an accessible, practical overview of major areas of research, technical development and clinical application in the field of neurorehabilitation movement therapy. The initial section provides the basic framework and a rationale for technology application in movement therapy by summarizing recent findings in neuroplasticity and motor learning. The following section provides a detailed overview of the movement physiology of various neurologic conditions, illustrating how this knowledge has been used to design various neurorehabilitation technologies. The third section then explains the principles of human-machine interaction for movement rehabilitation. The fourth section provides an overview of assessment technology and predictive modeling in neurorehabilitation. The fifth section provides a survey of technological approaches to neurorehabilitation, including spinal cord stimulation, functional electrical stimulation, virtual reality, wearable sensing, brain computer interfaces, mobile technologies, and telerehabilitation. The final two sections examine in greater detail the ongoing revolution in robotic therapy for upper extremity movement and walking, respectively. The promises and limitations of these technologies in neurorehabilitation are discussed, including an Epilogue which debates the impact and utility of robotics for neurorehabilitation. Throughout the book the chapters provide detailed practical information on state-of-the-art clinical applications of these devices following stroke, spinal cord injury, and other neurologic disorders and future developments in the field. The text is illustrated throughout with photographs and schematic diagrams which serve to clarify the information for the reader. Neurorehabilitation Technology, Third Edition is a valuable resource for neurologists, biomedical engineers, roboticists, rehabilitation specialists, physiotherapists, occupational therapists and those training in these fields. Chapter “Spinal Cord Stimulation to Enable Leg Motor Control and Walking in People with Spinal Cord Injury is available open access under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License via link.springer.com.

Advanced research in the field of mechatronics and robotics represents a unifying interdisciplinary and intelligent engineering science paradigm. It is a holistic, concurrent, and interdisciplinary engineering science that identifies novel possibilities of synergizing and fusing different disciplines. The Handbook of Research on Advanced Mechatronic Systems and Intelligent Robotics is a collection of innovative research on the methods and applications of knowledge in both theoretical and practical skills of intelligent robotics and mechatronics. While highlighting topics including green technology, machine learning, and virtual manufacturing, this book is ideally designed for researchers, students, engineers, and computer practitioners seeking current research on developing innovative ideas for intelligent robotics and autonomous and smart interdisciplinary mechatronic products.

This chapter focuses on rehabilitation robotics which can be used to augment the clinician's toolbox in order to deliver meaningful restorative therapy for an aging population, as well as on advances in orthotics to augment an individual's functional abilities beyond neurorestoration potential. The interest in rehabilitation robotics and orthotics is increasing steadily with marked growth in the last 10 years. This growth is understandable in view of the increased demand for caregivers and rehabilitation services escalating apace with the graying of the population. We provide an overview on improving function in people with a weak limb due to a neurological disorder who cannot properly control it to interact with the environment (orthotics); we then focus on tools to assist the clinician in promoting rehabilitation of an individual so that s/he can interact with the environment unassisted (rehabilitation robotics). We present a few clinical results occurring immediately poststroke as well as during the chronic phase that demonstrate superior gains for the upper extremity when employing rehabilitation robotics instead of usual care. These include the landmark VA-ROBOTICS multisite, randomized clinical study which demonstrates clinical gains for chronic stroke that go beyond usual care at no additional cost.

Rehabilitation Robotics gives an introduction and overview of all areas of rehabilitation robotics, perfect for anyone new to the field. It also summarizes available robot technologies and their application to different pathologies for skilled researchers and clinicians. The editors have been involved in the development and application of robotic devices for neurorehabilitation for more than 15 years. This experience using several commercial devices for robotic rehabilitation has enabled them to develop the know-how and expertise necessary to guide those seeking comprehensive understanding of this topic. Each chapter is written by an expert in the respective field, pulling in perspectives from both engineers and clinicians to present a multi-disciplinary view. The book targets the implementation of efficient robot strategies to facilitate the re-acquisition of motor skills. This technology incorporates the outcomes of behavioral studies on motor learning and its neural correlates into the design, implementation and validation of robot agents that behave as ‘optimal’ trainers, efficiently exploiting the structure and plasticity of the human sensorimotor systems. In this context, human-robot interaction plays a paramount role, at both the physical and cognitive level, toward achieving a symbiotic interaction where the human body and the robot can benefit from each other’s dynamics. Provides a comprehensive review of recent developments in the area of rehabilitation robotics Includes information on both therapeutic and assistive robots Focuses on the state-of-the-art and representative advancements in the design, control, analysis, implementation and validation of rehabilitation robotic systems

Individuals with disabilities that impede their range of motion often have difficulty accessing technologies. With the use of computer-based assistive technology; devices, tools, and services can be used to maintain and improve the functional capabilities of motor disabilities. Assistive Technologies and Computer Access for Motor Disabilities investigates solutions to the difficulties of impaired technology access by highlighting the principles, methods, and advanced technological solutions for those with motor impairments. This reference source is beneficial to academia, industry, and various professionals in disciplines such as rehabilitation science, occupational therapy, human-computer interface development, ergonomics, and teaching in inclusive and special education. This publication is integrated with its pair book Disability Informatics and Web Accessibility for Motor Limitations.

This Research Topic presents bio-inspired and neurological insights for the development of intelligent robotic control algorithms. This aims to bridge the inter-disciplinary gaps between neuroscience and robotics to accelerate the pace of research and development.

While human capabilities can withstand broad levels of strain, they cannot hope to compete with the advanced abilities of automated technologies. Developing advanced robotic systems will provide a better, faster means to produce goods and deliver a level of seamless communication and synchronization that exceeds human skill. Advanced Robotics and Intelligent Automation in Manufacturing is a pivotal reference source that provides vital research on the application of advanced manufacturing technologies in regards to production speed, quality, and innovation. While highlighting topics such as human-machine interaction, quality management, and sensor integration, this publication explores state-of-the-art technologies in the field of robotics engineering as well as human-robot interaction. This book is ideally designed for researchers, students, engineers, manufacturers, managers, industry professionals, and academicians seeking to enhance their innovative design capabilities.

Rehabilitation Robots for Neurorehabilitation in High, Low, and Middle Income Countries: Current Practice, Barriers, and Future Directions describes the state-of-art research of stroke rehabilitation using robot systems in selected High Income Countries (HICs) and Low and Middle Income Countries (LMICs), along with potential solutions that enable these technologies to be available to clinicians worldwide, regardless of country and economic status. The book brings together engineers and clinicians, offers insights into healthcare disparities, and highlights potential solutions to facilitate the availability and accessibility of more robot systems to stroke survivors and their clinicians worldwide, regardless of country and economic status.In addition, the book provides examples on how robotic technology is used to bridge rehabilitation gaps in LMICs and describes potential strategies for increasing the expansion of robot-assisted stroke rehabilitation across more LMICs. Provides a global picture of robot-assisted neurorehabilitation Describes stroke healthcare in selected LMICs and selected HICs, along with disparity issues Discusses potential barriers to the penetration of rehabilitation robots into LMICs Presents concrete examples on how clinicians and engineers have begun to address healthcare gaps with rehabilitation robotics and how to deal with accessibility barriers