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Virtual Ankle and Balance Trainer System

Technology Benefits

The system:ΓÇóProvides an interactive patient performance feedbackΓÇóAllows for an innovative way of pressure monitoringΓÇóHas a quicker response time as compared to conventional systemsΓÇóAllows for a multiple degree of freedom with an ability to generate torque in various directionsΓÇóEffectively allows for a coordinated ankle dorsiflexion or plantarflexionΓÇóEnables multiple position support (sitting, leg extension, standing) as compared to limited support in case of conventional systemsΓÇóCombines robotics and interactive gaming (visual interaction) to facilitate/improve the performance of ankle movements along with balancing for individuals undergoing rehabilitation from neurological/orthopedic disorders

Detailed Technology Description

The survivors of major neurological disorders can have multiple devastating effects such as impairment to the motor and sensory systems, and related impaired control of gait and balance. Currently, there are no commercially available devices specifically designed for both ankle rehabilitation as well as overall balance improvement. Few ankle rehabilitation devices such as Wobble boards and AFOUD are available. However, they are associated with many limitations such as difficulty in usage, lack of quick response time, bulkiness, costliness, limited use, lack of quantitative measurement of patient progress, and lack of balance support. This novel rehabilitation system provides an interactive, virtual-reality based interface for coordinated ankle movements as well as for body balancing activities.

*Abstract

None

*Principal Investigator

Name: Rebecca Bularzik

Department:

Name: Timoth Deso

Department:

Name: Ye Ding

Department:

Name: Maureen K Holden

Department:

Name: Joseph Malack

Department:

Name: Constantinos Mavroids

Department:

Name: Maciej Pietruskinski

Department:

Name: Brain Weinberg

Department:

Name: Nathan Willard

Department:

Country/Region

USA