A team of researchers from MIREA – Russian Technological University has developed a new generation orthosis designed to rehabilitate patients with impaired hand mobility after radial nerve injuries and stroke. Unlike traditional models that only restrict movement, this development stimulates the restoration of motor skills through active participation in the rehabilitation process.
The orthosis consists of 10 adjustable elements that mimic the work of tendons. Each of them can be individually adjusted to the anatomical features of the patient, which allows restoring even fine motor skills.
We have created a system that actively participates in the rehabilitation process, rather than just supporting the hand. This gives patients the opportunity to return to normal life faster.
Existing analogues either rigidly fix the hand, limiting mobility, or use a single kinematic chain, synchronously extending all fingers. The uniqueness of our orthosis is that each finger can be bent and unbent separately thanks to two extensors on the phalanges. This is a new technology that has no analogues on the market yet.
Another advantage is the location of the orthosis only on the back of the hand, which preserves the natural mobility of the palm and reduces discomfort. The project has already been supported by the «MIREA Accelerator», which will speed up its refinement and market launch.
About 450,000 cases of stroke are registered annually in Russia. 80% of people who have had a stroke have motor impairments. Radial nerve injuries are also a common problem, especially after fractures and industrial injuries. Most existing treatments only passively fix the hand, without promoting active recovery.
Read more on the topic:
Will pump up the heart: «CardioRobot» from Rosel has reached the stage of mass production
Biotechnology for the production of drugs for diabetes was created by Russian scientists
