Robotic stretcher for SMA patient

Abstract

Diseases such as ALS and SMA often cause motor disabilities by progressive loss of muscle power. However, some patients must lie horizontally and thus cannot operate a wheelchair. We have developed a robotic stretcher for an SMA patient who wanted to operate it to move around buildings by herself. The aim of this study was to develop a robotic stretcher for an SMA patient with severe motor disabilities to enable her to maneuver independently inside a building. In the concept of the stretcher, the user can drive the stretcher using an applicable operating device while watching a display feed from cameras mounted on the stretcher. We have developed some new devices with operating algorithm suitable to the user's limited abilities (motion in only one finger), and verified their functions by tests with miniature robot models. The control system and mechanism were also explained. We show some experimental results using miniature models and the prototype machine, and results of a risk assessment of the prototype machine. © 2010 SICE.