Bonnechère Bruno
REVAL Rehabilitation Research Center, Faculty of Rehabilitation Sciences, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.
Technology-Supported and Data-Driven Rehabilitation, Data Sciences Institute, Hasselt University, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium.
Biomimetics (Basel). 2024 Nov 22;9(12):723. doi: 10.3390/biomimetics9120723.
Rehabilitation science has evolved significantly with the integration of technology-supported interventions, offering objective assessments, personalized programs, and real-time feedback for patients. Despite these advances, challenges remain in fully addressing the complexities of human recovery through the rehabilitation process. Over the last few years, there has been a growing interest in the application of biomimetics to inspire technological innovation. This review explores the application of biomimetic principles in rehabilitation technologies, focusing on the use of animal models to help the design of assistive devices such as robotic exoskeletons, prosthetics, and wearable sensors. Animal locomotion studies have, for example, inspired energy-efficient exoskeletons that mimic natural gait, while insights from neural plasticity research in species like zebrafish and axolotls are advancing regenerative medicine and rehabilitation techniques. Sensory systems in animals, such as the lateral line in fish, have also led to the development of wearable sensors that provide real-time feedback for motor learning. By integrating biomimetic approaches, rehabilitation technologies can better adapt to patient needs, ultimately improving functional outcomes. As the field advances, challenges related to translating animal research to human applications, ethical considerations, and technical barriers must be addressed to unlock the full potential of biomimetic rehabilitation.
随着技术支持的干预措施的整合，康复科学有了显著发展，为患者提供客观评估、个性化方案和实时反馈。尽管取得了这些进展，但在通过康复过程全面解决人类恢复的复杂性方面，挑战依然存在。在过去几年里，人们对应用仿生学来激发技术创新的兴趣日益浓厚。这篇综述探讨了仿生原理在康复技术中的应用，重点关注利用动物模型来辅助设计诸如机器人外骨骼、假肢和可穿戴传感器等辅助设备。例如，动物运动研究启发了模仿自然步态的节能外骨骼，而斑马鱼和蝾螈等物种的神经可塑性研究成果正在推动再生医学和康复技术的发展。动物的感官系统，如鱼类的侧线，也促使了可穿戴传感器的开发，这些传感器可为运动学习提供实时反馈。通过整合仿生方法，康复技术可以更好地适应患者需求，最终改善功能结果。随着该领域的发展，必须解决将动物研究转化为人类应用、伦理考量和技术障碍等相关挑战，以释放仿生康复的全部潜力。
