Development of a Switchable Wearable Robot for Rehabilitation After Surgery of Knee

Abstract

It is important to give the patient to the suitable rehabilitation after almost surgical operations, however it is hard work for the physical therapist and patient. Therefore, the robot for rehabilitation is desirable. We developed the wearable assist robot for rehabilitation after the Total Knee Arthroplasty (TKA) surgery. In our robot, two type robots for left leg and for right leg are necessary, and cost for the introduction in a hospital becomes high. The other similar robots for rehabilitation are not distinguished into each leg, therefore the weight is larger and it is difficult for patient to walk freely. To solve the problem, the new switchable robot employed the bilateral asymmetrical gear for the knee joint and the new nondirectional brace to fix the robot to each leg is developed. And the effectiveness of the new robot is confirmed by the sensory evaluation, myoelectricity and movement of the brace using the developed real switchable robot.