Exo-Arm is a physical therapy device used by patients rehabilitating from neuromuscular weakness on one arm, enabling the patient to perform rehabilitation exercises with a greater range of movement.
By augmenting the movement of the patient and mitigating the weight of gravity on the patient’s arm, greater flexibility is achieved with a reduction in fatigue of the patient. While wearing ExoArm, exercises may consist of everyday tasks which become difficult with a neuromuscular disorder, such as a stroke.
Motivation
Observations at the University of Wisconsin – Madison Physical Therapy Center revealed the difficulty patients encounter when performing exercises against gravity. These visits also proved that extension of the elbow is more difficult than flexion for most patients. Thus, the purpose of the Exo-Arm was formed: to provide a weightless environment for the arm and variable resistance for the elbow to improve a patient’s exercise capabilities.
The Exo-Arm allows a patient to effectively redevelop neuromuscular pathways as well as move in a fuller range of motion, preventing further spasticity or stiffness of the arm. Spasticity is commonly seen in post-stroke patients who keep their arm pressed against their chest (Stroke.org, 2015). The Exo-Arm achieves this with motor assisted forward flexion of the shoulder and interchangeable elastic bands attached near the elbow.
Performance and Design Specifications
The Exo-Arm is to be worn in a physical therapy setting for an entire session and allows patients to perform rehabilitative exercises in a weight-free environment with respect to the weakened arm. The actuated shoulder of the Exo-Arm is designed to minimize the limiting factor of fatigue that patients face during their exercises. Major design specifications for the Exo-Arm include environment, ergonomics, sizing, weight, and safety.
