DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT OF THERAPEUTIC DEVICE FOR KNEE JOINT AND ASSOCIATED MUSCLES REHABILITATION

Abstract

Motor control of the knee joint is compromised due to various deficiencies that act on neurological areas and musculoskeletal systems and leads to deformities and other everyday life complications. The mobilization of a disabled person is a tedious job which causes discomfort for both the subject and the caregiver. The treatment involves long term therapy sessions with therapists, and even later stages of self-treatment require a trained attendant for the subject. Manual therapy is physically demanding for subjects and therapists alike therefore, automated electromechanical devices are being developed to regain the muscle control, increase muscular strength, mobility and motor coordination. Different exercises can be performed by using these special types of active and passive devices. However, the automatized solution available in the market are very costly and out of reach of an average household. The proposed device is an electromechanical knee joint physiotherapy system that provides controlled therapeutic flexion and extension motion to lower limb according to user defined speed and range of motion. The device has simple user interface for entering exercise parameters. Fail safes and emergency stops are installed to limit/stop any undesirable movement. The device is portable and can be adjusted to be used for subjects of any height. The hardware includes latest orthosis manufacturing techniques and tools for the development of support structure of the lower limb. The device is powered and actuated using mounted electronics circuits boards and controlled via control algorithms running on microcontroller. Inputs and outputs of the device are monitored through control feedback loops. This device can help break the cycle of trauma, and inflammation in the joint, help in prevention joint stiffness and speed up the recovery of postoperative range of motion.