UNAIR NEWS – Exoskeleton is a medical rehabilitation device placed on a part of the body to accelerate treatment. Stroke patients have to undergo medical rehabilitation in hospitals with the help of nurses in training movements using devices and it requires a lot of time and money. In collaboration with Dr. Soetomo General Hospital, Universitas Airlangga lecturer, Dr. Riries R, ST. MT., with her team (Akif Rahmatillah, ST, MT, Osmalina Nur Rahma, ST, M.Si., and Alfian Pramudita, ST, M.Sc.) have developed a medical rehabilitation exoskeleton.
The device is designed to train dysfunctional limbs due to a stroke. The head of the research team Dr. Riries R, ST. MT., explained that limb movement, especially the arm is the main focus. The arm was chosen because most stroke problems cause a dysfunctional arm.
“The exoskeleton is robotically based and we (the team, ed) are trying to apply it to the medical, especially in medical rehabilitation,” she said at UNAIR Physics Department on Tuesday, June 18, 2019.
Generation of Sustainable Device
The robotic device should be installed in the dysfunctional arm of the patient and it is moved by a healthy arm with electrodes using an EMG sensor as a motor driver. EMG sensor (Electromyography) itself is a technique used to evaluate nerve and muscle function by recording electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles.
“The robotic device, judging from its working principle, it can be replaced by nurses, however, the intensity is not measured so it is less effective,” explained one of UNAIR Physics lecturers.
With these consideration, the second generation is developed with an advantage as it is automatic. In the second generation there is an additional corner sensor that functions to measure the angle and speed of the arm. Therefore, there is a record for the arm condition before being trained with the device and after being trained. It is shown on the display.
Mass Production and Registered Patent Right
According to Dr. Riries, the research of this robotic device was registered for patents. With patent rights, it can be mass produced. The research team collaborate with medical rehabilitation team of Universitas Airlangga Hospital (RSUA) for testing the device. The device can be purchased as well by the general public as it is not dangerous.
“For the patent right, we’re waiting for some test and after that we can work with large companies,” she explained.
This research is expected to help the medical field, especially the patients. The mass production will reduce patient costs and help hospitals to provide more efficient medical rehabilitation. (*)
Author: Asthesia Dhea Cantika
Editor: Feri Fenoria Rifa’i
