Edsko E.G. Hekman
Papers
14
Total Citations
1,868
H-Index
10
About
Edsko E.G. Hekman is a leading figure in rehabilitation robotics and medical device design, whose work has profoundly shaped how technology aids human recovery. His primary research spans exoskeleton development for gait and upper-extremity rehabilitation, as well as innovative robotic systems for minimally invasive surgery. Hekman’s most influential contribution is the LOPES exoskeleton, a groundbreaking gait rehabilitation robot featuring impedance-controlled joints and a freely translatable pelvis segment, detailed in his 2007 paper that has garnered over 1,266 citations. This work established a new standard for interactive, patient-adaptive therapy. He further advanced the field with the Dampace exoskeleton for force-coordination training and the Freebal system for dedicated gravity compensation, each accumulating over 60 citations. Beyond rehabilitation, Hekman engineered the MIRIAM robot for MR-guided prostate needle insertion and a CT-compatible needle steering robot for lung biopsies, demonstrating versatility in surgical robotics. His recent work includes a McKibben muscle-based bending actuator for assistive wearables and an underactuated hand prosthesis, reflecting a continued drive to create close-to-body, patient-centered solutions. With a portfolio exceeding 1,800 total citations, Hekman’s innovations are foundational to modern rehabilitation and interventional robotics.
Research Focus
Key Achievements
Top Papers
- 1Design and Evaluation of the LOPES Exoskeleton Robot for Interactive Gait Rehabilitation1,266 citations · 2007
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- 3Dampace: dynamic force-coordination trainer for the upper extremities110 citations · 2007
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- 5Freebal: dedicated gravity compensation for the upper extremities63 citations · 2007
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- 8UT hand I: A lock-based underactuated hand prosthesis29 citations · 2014
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