Release date: 2017-08-08
The recently published Science and Translational Medicine magazine published the latest results of researchers at Harvard University. They developed a wearable flexible smart ankle device that helps stroke patients walk more freely.
Stroke is the leading cause of disability in the United States, with more than 6.5 million Americans surviving each year after a stroke, and most of them are unable to fully recover their ability to walk. Experts said that due to difficulties in walking, these patients did not even want to go out to the store to buy things, but long-term inactivity, leading to other health problems, the quality of life spiraled down.
In recent years, breakthroughs have been made in the field of exoskeleton technology, greatly improving the performance of auxiliary devices such as crutches, walkers and orthotics. However, most of these exoskeleton devices are too hard to provide assistance to patients who cannot walk after a stroke, and are not suitable for patients who can walk after some strokes.
In the new study, Harvard University software robot scientist Connor Walsh and colleagues developed a flexible ultra-light wearable smart device that can help patients with stroke sequelae re-walk. Walsh said that the new soft body device can greatly help patients who still retain some walking ability, allowing them to walk in a more natural way.
The smart device weighs only 900 grams and includes a belt and a leg strap that connects to the leg sleeve. The actuator attached to the belt has 2.63 kg (the battery weighs 560 g), which is connected to the insole through a fiber optic cable, pushes the legs forward, and corrects the toe and ankle bending caused by the sagging of the foot.
In the two-day test, nine stroke sequelae aged 30 to 67 years old were able to walk on treadmills and open ground after wearing this smart device, and their ability and symmetry were increased by 10% and 20 respectively. %. After wearing the device, the walking ability can be obviously improved within a few minutes, and the effect is comparable to the long-term clinical rehabilitation treatment. It is most effective for patients who can walk slowly without the need for an auxiliary device. Researchers say they will continue to develop similar smart devices that can be worn on the knees and hips to better help these patients.
Source: Technology Daily
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