Multi-Sensor Validation Approach of an End-Effector-Based Robot for the Rehabilitation of the Upper and Lower Limb

Abstract

End-effector-based robots are widely adopted by physiotherapists and caregivers as support in the delivery of the rehabilitation training to the patient. The validation of these devices presents critical aspects, since the system performance must be assessed analyzing the movement performed by the subject limb, i.e., elements outside the device. This paper presents a multi-sensor approach for the validation of an innovative end-effector-based device, comparing different measurement strategies for evaluating the system effectiveness in imposing an expected training. The study was performed monitoring the movement induced by the device on the upper limb of a young male healthy subject during a set of fictitious rehabilitation sessions. The kinematic structure of the device is characterized by a compact differential mechanism with two degrees of freedom. A sequence of repetitions of a planar reaching pattern was analyzed as illustrative training task. A kinematic model of subject and system was developed, and the kinematics of a set of specific landmark points on the subject limb was evaluated. Data obtained from two measurement systems were compared: (1) an optoelectronic system with two cameras and eight skin passive markers, and (2) two triaxial accelerometers. Results were analyzed in MATLAB and R environment, revealing a high repeatability of the limb movement. Although both the measurement systems allow evaluating the acceleration of subject’s arm and forearm, accelerometers should be preferred for punctual analysis, like components optimizations, whereas optical markers provide a general overview of the system, particularly suitable for the functional design process.

A Review on Vibration-Based Condition Monitoring of Rotating Machinery

“…An investigation on the points of measurement is the last significant aspect that emerged from the analytical review at signal level [97,98]. Castellani in 2020 [58] studied the solution to measure vibrations at the tower instead of at the gearbox in a wind turbine and achieved positive outcomes in the bearing diagnostics without impacting the wind turbine operation.…”

Sensors and Actuation Technologies in Exoskeletons: A Review

“…For this type of exoskeleton, in particular those of the assistive and rehabilitative type, a topic of great importance is gait analysis to recognize the different phases and consequently check, in real time, the contribution provided by the exoskeleton and keeping synchronization with human movements. For this purpose, force, torque and pressure sensors as well as IMU, EMG and encoders are the most used, and very often they are used in a multi-sensor configuration [ 20 ].…”

“…Similarly, different technologies are used for sensing purposes in exoskeletons, such as measures relating to the movement of specific limbs [ 18 ], forces or torques exchanged between device and user, bio-signals, such as electromyography signals (EMGs) [ 19 ], electroencephalography signals (EEGs) and mechanomyography signals (MMG) to be used for device control or validation [ 20 , 21 , 22 ], etc.…”

Kinematic alteration in three-dimensional reaching movement in C3-4 level cervical myelopathy

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