Defining the design requirements for an assistive powered hand exoskeleton: A pilot explorative interview study and case series

Abstract

Background: Powered hand exoskeletons are an emerging technology that have shown promise in assisting individuals with impaired hand function. A number of hand exoskeleton designs have been described in the literature; however, the majority have not been supported by patient-oriented criteria. Objective: The aim of this study was to define preliminary end-user needs and expectations for an assistive hand exoskeleton. Study design: Explorative interview and case series. Methods: Six clinicians and eight individuals with impaired hand function were interviewed in small groups or individually. A standardized list of questions was used to elicit feedback on specific design criteria or promote the discovery of new criteria. In addition, three participants with impaired hand function returned for a second session where hand characteristics, such as range of motion and force required to flex/extend fingers, were recorded to further quantify design requirements. Results: Interview responses indicated that there was general consensus among participants on criteria relating to important grasp patterns, grip strength, wear time, and acceptable bulk/weight. However, interview responses and hand characteristics also revealed important differences between individuals with impaired hand function. Conclusion: Qualitative and quantitative data were collected to develop an understanding of end-user design requirements for assistive hand exoskeletons. Although the data collected were helpful in identifying some preliminary criteria, differences between participants exist and identifying a universal set of criteria applicable across individuals with impaired hand function is challenging. This work reinforces the importance of involving users of rehabilitation technology in the device development process.

Self-Aligning Finger Exoskeleton for the Mobilization of the Metacarpophalangeal Joint

“…Here, an RPR architecture was preferred because it provides for a slider with a stroke independent of the first phalanx's length and can thus accommodate various anthropometries. In terms of encumbrance, the wearable parts of the platform, including the kinematic chain and the proximal cuff on the phalanx, are included in a volume of 28.66 cm 3 (88.26x26.75x12.14 mm), resulting in a compact design similar to the literature [29], [30] and in line with the acceptable encumbrance of 75 cm 3 (50x50x30 mm) for the whole hand proposed in [31].…”

Mechanical Design and Feasibility of a Finger Exoskeleton to Support Finger Extension of Severely Affected Stroke Patients

“…The precision grip requires only one degree of freedom (DOF), whereas the power grip requires two DOFs [21]. In both grips, the thumb should be opposed to the fingers [22]. Also, it is acceptable to couple the movements of the index and middle finger [22].…”

“…In both grips, the thumb should be opposed to the fingers [22]. Also, it is acceptable to couple the movements of the index and middle finger [22]. The device should allow for some passive finger abduction/adduction of the MCP joint to accommodate slightly deformed hands and be comfortable during use.…”

Penggunaan User Persona untuk Evaluasi Pengalaman Pengguna LMS dan Mengidentifikasi Kebutuhan Perangkat Lunak

“…Wawancara dilakukan secara Synchronous menggunakan Google Meet dan direkam dalam bentuk audio / video. Rekaman audio / video digunakan untuk meninjau keakuratan dari hasil wawancara tersebut (Boser et al, 2020). Selain itu, rekaman juga digunakan untuk mengamati tanggapan yang diberikan secara berulang (Boser et al, 2020).…”