Adaptive robotic platform for gait rehabilitation and assistance based on the integration of an active exoskeleton and a robotic walker "EksoWalker" (2017-2019)

Funding

Colombian School of Engineering Julio Garavito.

Abstract

Mobility is an important faculty that affects the life of a person at different levels. Lack of mobility can condition physical and cognitive development in the early years of development. Recently, neuroscience found that specific, repetitive and intensive training induces neuronal plasticity and, as a consequence, a cortical reorganization of brain damage. In order to improve the locomotor training of patients with reduced mobility, several robotic devices have been proposed as alternatives to be used in therapeutic interventions. Several studies have demonstrated the functional benefits of this approach. A systematic review of rehabilitation techniques concluded that the combination of electro-mechanically assisted gait training along with physical therapy increases a patient's chances of reaching an autonomous locomotive. The main objective of the EksoWalker project is to develop and validate a robotic platform to support patient rehabilitation therapies; a robotic walker and an active lower limb exoskeleton, controlled by an interface that serves as a communication channel between patients and rehabilitation therapies, along with a second interface to allow for safe interaction of the Patient-Eksowalker system With the environment during therapy.