Designing of controlled wearable robot for the treatment of ankle injuries using flex sensors

Abstract

Rehabilitation after ankle injury requires considerable time and focus in order to restore the ankle's durability and range of motion. One such device used for rehabilitation of the ankle is ankle robots. The ankle robot has a bio inspired design, developed following a detailed examination of the areas where the current ankle robots may use improvement. The robot's design can accommodate users of all ages and physiological abilities. But the disadvantage is that patients have to visit the hospital daily for physiotherapy which is very difficult for the injured person as well as for the person accompanying them. For these reasons by using the proposed system, it would be very helpful for the patient as they can perform the ankle exercise at home itself without the help of others and the exercise pattern can be stored in the computer for reference by the therapist in future. Ankle robots utilize lightweight and the actuation of the skeletal muscles is mimicked by powerful pneumatic muscle actuators (PMA). The ankle injuries are treated via the movements of pneumatic muscle actuators. It is controlled by the flex sensor attached to the socks that is worn by the patient. This robot helps in improving the ankle mobility, flexibility, co-ordination, ankle strength and helps to return back to full fitness.