Girone M, Burdea G, Bouzit M, Popescu V, Deutsch J E
CAIP Center, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ, USA.
Stud Health Technol Inform. 2000;70:89-95.
A novel ankle rehabilitation device is being developed for home use, allowing remote monitoring by therapists. The system will allow patients to perform a variety of exercises while interacting with a virtual environment (VE). These game-like VEs created with WorldToolKit run on a host PC that controls the movement and output forces of the device via an RS232 connection. Patients will develop strength, flexibility, coordination, and balance as they interact with the VEs. The device will also perform diagnostic functions, measuring the ankle's range of motion, force exertion capabilities and coordination. The host PC transparently records patient progress for remote evaluation by therapists via our existing telerehabilitation system. The "Rutgers Ankle" Orthopedic Rehabilitation Interface uses double-acting pneumatic cylinders, linear potentiometers, and a 6 degree-of-freedom (DOF) force sensor. The controller contains a Pentium single-board computer and pneumatic control valves. Based on the Stewart platform, the device can move and supply forces and torques in 6 DOFs. A proof-of-concept trial conducted at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ) provided therapist and patient feedback. The system measured the range of motion and maximum force output of a group of four patients (male and female). Future medical trials are required to establish clinical efficacy in rehabilitation.
一种新型的家用脚踝康复设备正在研发中，可实现治疗师的远程监测。该系统将允许患者在与虚拟环境（VE）交互的同时进行各种锻炼。这些使用WorldToolKit创建的类似游戏的虚拟环境在一台主机PC上运行，该主机通过RS232连接控制设备的运动和输出力。患者在与虚拟环境交互时将增强力量、提高灵活性、协调性和平衡能力。该设备还将执行诊断功能，测量脚踝的活动范围、发力能力和协调性。主机PC会透明地记录患者的进展情况，以便治疗师通过我们现有的远程康复系统进行远程评估。“罗格斯脚踝”骨科康复接口使用双作用气缸、线性电位器和一个6自由度（DOF）力传感器。控制器包含一台奔腾单板计算机和气动控制阀。基于斯特沃特平台，该设备可以在6个自由度上移动并提供力和扭矩。在新泽西州大学医学与牙科学院（UMDNJ）进行的概念验证试验提供了治疗师和患者的反馈。该系统测量了一组四名患者（男女皆有）的活动范围和最大力输出。未来需要进行医学试验以确定其在康复方面的临床疗效。
