Thesis

The design and development of a novel robotic exoskeleton for patients suffering from brachial plexus injury

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Awarding institution
  • University of Strathclyde
Date of award
  • 2014
Thesis identifier
  • T13950
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Abstract
  • Brachial Plexus injury is a debilitating condition first described in 1779 that affects more than 1 in a 100 adults in the US, and between 0.5-3 per 1000 live births. This condition is severely limiting and can result in varying degrees of hemiparesis in the patient. This condition in adults often arises through vehicular accidents and as such has been rising throughout the 20th century. Since 1779, many rehabilitative techniques have been pioneered - mostly surgical - such as nerve suturing and shoulder arthrodesis to varying degrees of success. However, as modern technology decreases in size and increases in power, prosthetics and orthotics have come into the fore. Amputation followed by a prosthetic application, though medically sound, is rejected by a large proportion of patients - even with a likelihood of a better prognosis. Orthoses prove to be much less invasive than amputation and therefore is often a preferred option of many patients Though even with many advancements in the field, many modern orthotics are often expensive, cumbersome and require attending physicians to supervise rehabilitation of the patient in a laboratory setting. This research contains a proposal for a novel orthotic for an adult that is safe, cheap, easy to interface with, and is able to be worn throughout the patients' daily life with maximum assistance and minimal obstruction. The research will be presented first as a background and literature review on current orthotics, followed by a discussion and critical analysis on both the electrical and mechanical components and finally a design proposal. Due to time constraints, it was not possible to obtain and prototype the components - however, the underlying mechanical and electrical theory and components have been analysed and presented in this research paper.
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Note
  • This thesis was previously held under moratorium from 24 March 2015 until 24 March 2020.
DOI
Date Created
  • 2014
Former identifier
  • 9912173013402996

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