Design of an electrohydraulic hand orthosis for people with Duchenne muscular dystrophy using commercially available components

Conference paper (2018)

Authors

R.A. Bos Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
Kostas Nizamis University of Twente
D.H. Plettenburg Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
J.L. Herder Precision and Microsystems Engineering , Mechatronic Systems Design - Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering
Research Group
Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control (Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering) (TU Delft)
Copyright: © 2018 R.A. Bos, Kostas Nizamis, D.H. Plettenburg, J.L. Herder
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1109/BIOROB.2018.8487196
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Published Date

2018

Language

English

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Faculty

Mechanical, Maritime and Materials Engineering

Department

Biomechanical Engineering

Research Group

Biomechatronics & Human-Machine Control

Abstract

People with Duchenne muscular dystrophy are currently in need of assistive robotics to improve their hand function and have a better quality of life. However, none of the available active hand orthoses is able to address to their specific needs. In this study, the use of hydraulic technology is proposed in the design of an active hand orthosis. Commercially available components were used to identify where customization is necessary for a new electrohydraulic hand orthosis. The presented prototype was able to move four finger modules with a single actuator. The finger modules were separable and had a total mass of only 150 g, whereas the valve manifold added another 250 g. Results revealed that the prototype was able to function well with full flexion/extension cycles up to 2 Hz, but with hysteretic losses between 37-81% of the total input energy. Specialized valves and slave cylinders are required to increase efficiency at higher speeds and to obtain more robust sealing performance.