Design and Implementation of a Smart Mechatronic Elbow Brace

Abstract

This project develops a design and implementation of a smart mechatronic brace used as a rehabilitation device for elbow injury patients training their bone ligaments and muscles, and recovering at home. The proposed brace is designed to be low cost and to fit large different users since it is able to be regulated and combined with reliable mechanical and electronic parts, and to correspond to high safety requirements. Electromyography (EMG) sensors are used above the skin to measure the biopotential signals from the muscles to detect the human motion intention, and then, to recognize the flexion/extension movement. Data of the human motion intention and direction are processed and converted into the pulse-width modulation signals (PWM) to run DC motors. A prototype for this brace is fabricated and tested with real human motion intentions and directions. The DC motors can follow well the human motions with the error of less than 70 over a moving angle of 1200.