Research and development of portable robot for orthopedic and neurological rehabilitation of the lower limbs

Abstract

Currently Stroke is the second largest disease in the world in number of deaths, a total of approximately 6 million per year [1]. According to a 2004 World Health Organization report, approximately 15 million people suffer from stroke every year, of which about 9 million survive. Each year, approximately 90 thousand deaths from cerebrovascular diseases are recorded in Brazil. The SUS (Unified Health System) recorded in 2008 approximately 200 thousand hospitalizations for stroke [2], which resulted in a cost of approximately R$ 270 million of government spending. A survey by the State Department of Health of São Paulo indicates that, on average, 106 people are hospitalized per day in public hospitals in the State of São Paulo with stroke. In 2011, there were 39 thousand hospitalizations for strokes in the SUS, in São Paulo, a figure above 38.9 thousand registered in 2010 [3]. There is little data on the prevalence of stroke in Brazil. The National Health Survey (Pesquisa Nacional de Saude -PNS), in a household-based epidemiological survey with a nationally representative sample, assessed the prevalence of stroke in Brazil and calculated the estimated absolute number of people with stroke and disability due to stroke and their prevalence. It was estimated 2,231,000 people with stroke and 568,000 with severe disability. The point prevalence was 1.6% in males and 1.4% in females, 29.5% in males and 21.5% in females [4].Portable, low-impedance robotic devices that move in 3D space for neurological recovery of the lower limbs are not manufactured or marketed in Brazil. The robot being developed will help physicians or physiotherapists start the treatment, training, and evaluation of patients' therapeutic progress in clinics, hospitals, and homes. We propose, for the third phase of this project of the PIPE, research activities for continuing the development of this portable robot, which consists basically of two servo motors, a device for fixation of the lower limb, position sensors, a differential mechanism, hardware and software for integration and control.The activities of this project are multidisciplinary and involve the areas of engineering, medicine, physiotherapy, information technology and 3D digital games for health. In addition, there is a quarterly follow-up of the sub-projects by rehabilitation medicine consultants, engineers, game designers, programmers and physiotherapists, to adapt the activities being developed to the needs of the project.For phase III we intend to develop the following activities1- Commercial industrial design and prototyping2- Study and Design of Brands (Brand Design)3-Development of the Commercial Version of Digital Games for Stroke rehabilitation of with Virtual Reality and / or Augmented.4-Commercial Version of Software for automated evaluation of patients, automated evaluation intended for use in rehabilitation robots and database5-Tests of Commercial Prototypes: Ergonomic, Functional tests for both Hardware and Software6-Development of the Motor Learning Module, Controller Design Review and Impedance Controller Final Tests7-Optimization of functional motions for commercial prototypes8-Clinical Trials and Results AnalysisA preliminary cost analysis showed that with the aid of research activities these robots could be commercialized with internationally competitive prices and accessible to rehabilitation clinics in Brazil. During phase III, the focus will be on transforming the results obtained from phase II research (developed so far with internal resources) into a commercially competitive robot for neurological and orthopedic lower limb rehabilitation, which is associated with a high quality and low production costs. (AU)