Engineering:Vanderbilt exoskeleton

From HandWiki
Short description: Powered exoskeleton
Indego
ManufacturerVanderbilt University
Parker Hannifin
CountryUnited States
Year of creation2010 (prototype)
TypePowered exoskeleton
PurposeMedical

The Vanderbilt exoskeleton, marketed as Indego,[1][2] is a powered exoskeleton designed by the Center for Intelligent Mechatronics at Vanderbilt University in the U.S. state of Tennessee .[3][4] It is intended to assist paraplegics, stroke victims and other paralyzed or semi-paralyzed people to walk independently.[5] Motion and control technologies manufacturer Parker Hannifin is funding further development, and plans to release the first commercial version of the exoskeleton in 2015.[6][7]

Rationale

In 2012, there were estimated to be over 270,000 Americans with long-term spinal cord injuries, of whom around 21 percent suffer from complete paraplegia.[8] The lifetime cost of care and lost productivity for each paraplegic ranges from US$1.4 million to $2.2 million.[8] However, since the late 2000s, robotics and battery technology have become sufficiently advanced to make wearable walking assistance devices viable.[9][10]

Design

The Vanderbilt exoskeleton weighs 27 pounds (12 kg) and can support users weighing up to 200 pounds (91 kg).[3][4] It is strapped to the user's legs, and uses an onboard computer to detect the user's movements, which are then supported and amplified by battery-powered motors in the exoskeleton's hip and knee joints.[5] It also uses functional electrical stimulation to enervate the muscles of paralyzed patients, improving their strength and circulation,[11] and can be quickly disassembled for removal.[12] It can be used interchangeably with a wheelchair, and can be donned without assistance, allowing disabled individuals significantly greater independence.[5] It is compact enough for a person to sit in a normal chair without needing to remove the exoskeleton.[12]

Development

Vanderbilt University began testing its exoskeleton with paraplegics and medical experts at a rehabilitation center in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2010.[12] In October 2012, Parker Hannifin signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Vanderbilt University for the right to develop and manufacture a commercial version of the exoskeleton, which it plans to release under the name Indego.[6][1] Whereas current commercial exoskeletons can cost as much as $140,000, Parker Hannifin hopes to exploit its manufacturing capabilities and the Vanderbilt model's lightweight design to ensure that the Indego is significantly cheaper.[5] In March 2014, Parker Hannifin entered into clinical trial agreements for the exoskeleton with several major medical rehabilitation centres.[7] In December 2014, Parker Hannifin invested in Freedom Innovations, a California-based prosthetic technology company with which it had a pre-existing partnership, to further the development of Indego.[13] Following regulatory approval, Parker Hannifin plans to release Indego in Europe in 2015 and in the United States in 2016.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Wearable robots getting lighter, more portable". South Coast Today. May 30, 2013. http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130530/LIFE/305300331. 
  2. ↑ "Parker Hannifin names its new exoskeleton device Indego". Crain's Cleveland. January 21, 2013. http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20130121/FREE/130129977. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 Gene Ostrovsky (October 30, 2012). "Inspired by Segway Scooter, Vanderbilt Exoskeleton Gets Paralyzed on Their Legs". Rehab. Medgadget.com. http://www.medgadget.com/2012/10/inspired-by-segway-scooter-vanderbilt-exoskeleton-gets-paralyzed-on-their-legs.html. "Medgadget is an independent journal of the latest medical gadgets, technologies and discoveries written, edited and published by a group of MDs and biomed engineers." 
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Powered Exoskeleton". Vanderbilt University. http://research.vuse.vanderbilt.edu/cim/research_orthosis.html. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 "Advanced exoskeleton promises more independence for people with paraplegia". Vanderbilt University. October 30, 2012. http://news.vanderbilt.edu/2012/10/exoskeleton/. 
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Parker Signs Licensing Agreement with Vanderbilt for Exoskeleton Technology and Targets Commercial Launch in 2014". Parker Hannifin. October 30, 2012. http://www.parker.com/portal/site/PARKER/menuitem.31c35c58f54e63cb97b11b10237ad1ca/?vgnextoid=428cfd3fbfaaa310VgnVCM100000200c1dacRCRD&vgnextchannel=9104fbdc71fd7310VgnVCM100000200c1dacRCRD&vgnextfmt=default. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 "Parker Hannifin enters clinical trial agreements for its Indego exoskeleton". Crain's Cleveland. March 4, 2014. http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20140304/FREE/140309942/parker-hannifin-enters-clinical-trial-agreements-for-its-indego. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Spinal Cord Injury Facts & Figures (PDF)". University of Alabama: National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center. February 2012. https://www.nscisc.uab.edu/PublicDocuments/fact_figures_docs/Facts%202012%20Feb%20Final.pdf. 
  9. ↑ "NASA's strange robotic suit could pave way to Mars, make astronauts safe". Science Recorder. December 11, 2012. http://www.sciencerecorder.com/news/nasas-strange-robotic-suit-could-pave-way-to-mars-make-astronauts-safe/. 
  10. ↑ "I am Iron Man: Top 5 Exoskeleton Robots". Discovery News. 2012. http://news.discovery.com/tech/exoskeleton-robots-top-5.html. 
  11. ↑ "Vanderbilt University steps into the exoskeleton market". Gizmag. October 31, 2012. http://www.gizmag.com/vanderbilt-exoskeleton/24815/. 
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "This Light, Affordable Exoskeleton Could Help The Paralyzed Walk Again". Fast CoExist. November 28, 2012. http://www.fastcoexist.com/1680940/this-light-affordable-exoskeleton-could-help-the-paralyzed-walk-again#1. 
  13. ↑ "Parker Hannifin strengthens Indego exoskeleton development efforts with investment in California company". Crain's Cleveland. December 4, 2014. http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20141204/FREE/141209891/parker-hannifin-strengthens-indego-exoskeleton-development-efforts. 

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