Why do we need force-controlled robots for rehabilitation?
The majority of current robots utilize position/velocity control technology, which limits patients’ voluntary movement efforts due to the nature of being restricted to repetitive, pre-determined kinematic patterns. Force control robots are designed to interact with humans in a safe and controlled manner. They use sophisticated sensors and control algorithms to adjust their force output based on the force feedback they receive from the environment. This allows them to exert the appropriate amount of force when interacting with people, while minimizing the risk of injury or damage. In the context of interacting with humans, force control robots can be used in a variety of applications, such as rehabilitation, physical therapy, and assistance with daily activities. For example, a force control robot can help a person recover from a stroke or other physical injury by providing targeted resistance training that is tailored to their specific needs. The robot can adjust its force output in real-time to ensure that the person is not being over-exerted or at risk of injury. Another important application of force control robots is in the field of prosthetics. With the use of sensors and control algorithms, prosthetic limbs can be designed to provide the appropriate amount of force for different tasks, such as grasping objects or walking. This can greatly enhance the mobility and independence of people with limb amputations, allowing them to perform daily activities with greater ease and confidence. In addition to their practical applications, force control robots can also have a significant impact on the relationship between humans and robots. By providing a safe and responsive interaction experience, force control robots can help to bridge the gap between humans and machines, fostering a greater sense of trust and acceptance. However, there are also challenges associated with the use of force control robots in interacting with humans. One of the major challenges is ensuring that the robots are able to respond quickly and accurately to the force feedback they receive from the environment. This requires sophisticated sensing and control algorithms, which can be difficult and expensive to develop. Another challenge is designing the robots to be intuitive and easy to use for people with different levels of physical ability and cognitive function. This requires careful consideration of factors such as the robot’s size, shape, and interface, as well as its overall behavior and communication style. Overall, force control robots have the potential to greatly enhance the safety, effectiveness, and acceptance of human-robot interactions. However, their development and deployment will require ongoing research and development, as well as careful consideration of ethical, social, and practical considerations.
Robotic rehabilitation for stroke patients
Stroke is a debilitating neurological condition that affects millions of people around the world. It occurs when there is an interruption in blood flow to the brain, leading to damage to brain cells and, consequently, loss of function in various parts of the body. Stroke patients often experience difficulty with movement, balance, and coordination, making it challenging to carry out everyday activities independently. However, with advancements in technology, robotic rehabilitation has emerged as a promising approach to help stroke patients regain their motor function. Robotic rehabilitation involves the use of robotic devices to assist or augment the movement of a patient’s limbs during therapy sessions. These devices are designed to provide highly controlled and repeatable movements, which are essential for effective rehabilitation. The technology is based on the principles of motor learning, where the brain is retrained to regain lost motor functions through repetitive exercises. One of the significant advantages of robotic rehabilitation is that it provides patients with more opportunities for practice and feedback than traditional therapy methods. Patients can perform a large number of repetitions in a shorter time frame, leading to faster recovery times. Additionally, robotic devices can provide real-time feedback on performance, which allows patients to adjust their movements and improve their technique. This feedback is essential in helping patients develop a better sense of proprioception, which is the ability to sense the position and movement of one’s limbs. Another advantage of robotic rehabilitation is that it provides a consistent and controlled environment for patients to practice their movements. The robot’s movements can be adjusted to meet the patient’s specific needs, providing a tailored and personalized approach to therapy. Moreover, the robotic devices can track the patient’s progress over time, allowing therapists to monitor their recovery and adjust the therapy plan accordingly. Robotic rehabilitation has been shown to be effective in improving motor function in stroke patients. Several studies have demonstrated that robotic therapy can lead to improvements in muscle strength, range of motion, and functional ability. Moreover, robotic rehabilitation has been shown to be more effective than traditional therapy methods in some cases, such as for patients with severe impairments. Despite the potential benefits of robotic rehabilitation, it is essential to note that it is not a substitute for traditional therapy methods. Robotic devices are meant to complement traditional therapy methods and should be used in conjunction with them. Additionally, robotic therapy may not be suitable for all patients, as it requires some level of physical ability to operate the devices. In conclusion, robotic rehabilitation is a promising approach to help stroke patients regain their motor function. It provides patients with more opportunities for practice, real-time feedback, and a consistent and controlled environment for therapy. While robotic rehabilitation should not replace traditional therapy methods, it can be a valuable tool in helping stroke patients on their road to recovery. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see further improvements in robotic rehabilitation and its application in stroke rehabilitation.
Benefits of Robotic Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation is facing a growing problem of an aging population combined with a shortage of therapists. More and more people are experiencing neurological injuries, but with fewer therapists, limited insurance reimbursements, and increasing evidence that even more therapy is needed for each patient, a modern solution is sorely needed. Robotic rehabilitation has been generating excitement from medicine, neuroscience, and engineering sectors because of the potential to deliver better rehabilitation outcomes and alleviate therapeutic resource shortages. Many studies have shown that robotic rehabilitation produces better or, at least, equivalent outcomes compared to standard therapy, offering a number of benefits: Robotic rehabilitation can provide patients with longer therapeutic time, which is one of the main problems in the field, alleviating the issues of therapist shortages and limited insurance reimbursement. Robotic automation can lead to an efficient operation of rehabilitation settings by freeing up the major portion of therapists’ labor and allowing them to engage with multiple patients simultaneously. Robotic rehabilitation has potential to promote better recovery by providing new types of training based on neuroscientific principles. Robotic settings can effectively motivate patients with gaming-like environments aligned with visual, haptic, and auditory feedback. Robotic devices can accurately gather data to give therapists information about the patient’s recovery.
Roboligent has joined the TMC Innovation Accelerator for HealthTech
Roboligent has joined the TMC Innovation Accelerator for HealthTech. We are very excited to be part of the TMCi Accelerator! The accelerator provides a unique opportunity for startups harnessing powerful technologies to continue to evolve their products and services while creating lasting relationships with Texas Medical Center (TMC) member institutions, advisors, and investors. TMC Innovation TMC Innovation is shaping the future of health care by uniting promising innovators with the best minds in science and medicine at the member institutions of the Texas Medical Center. OUR MISSION IS TO INCREASE THE QUALITY AND QUANTITY OF HEALTHCARE STARTUP DENSITY IN HOUSTON. Texas Medical Center Innovation forms, fosters, recruits, and funds healthcare companies from around the world that are writing the future of healthcare. In collaboration with key stakeholders from our TMC members as well as our global network of advisors and embedded corporate partners, we perform diligence on the companies seeking to progress toward clinical and business milestones. We align these resources through our globally recognized programs, our co-working space, and our corporate partners.
Showcase our robot on site in Texas Life Science Forum
Roboligent is delighted to participate in the Texas Life Science Forum to connect with the Health/MedTech community. We are excited to showcase our robot on site. The 10th Annual Conference will be held in person on February 24, 2022, at Rice University in Houston. For event information, visit https://txlifescienceforum.org/
Check out our Asian market affiliate!
HERE Life Science, our collaborator, has launched a new website! HERE focuses on the medical device business especially with our robot, Optimo Regen. Many Asian countries are confronting the hardships of aging societies. One of the main concerns is how to maintain the quality of healthy life of the aged population under clinical resource shortages. For example, many hospitals and clinics in Singapore are looking for new automation solutions to maximize the time usage of physical therapy sessions. We believe Optimo Regen will be a perfect solution to the problem and customers agree, as HERE already starts to engage with some leading hospitals and therapists. Invest today and be part of the journey!
We are accepting investments now!
Click here: https://www.startengine.com/roboligent
LinkDyn Robotics wins the NSF TECP grant
Big congratulations to our team! We have been awarded a Technology Enhancement for Commercial Partnerships (TECP) program grant from the National Science Foundation. This program provides a supplement of up to $150,000 to current SBIR or STTR awardees in order to pave the way for partnerships between strategic corporate partners and investors. https://seedfund.nsf.gov/resources/awardees/supplement/commercial/ https://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2013/nsf13132/nsf13132.jsp
LinkDyn Robotics wins the NSF SBIR Phase II
LinkDyn Robotics is proud to announce that the company has been awarded a Phase II SBIR grant from the National Science Foundation. This award is expected to total $750,000 for our research proposal entitled, “SBIR Phase II: Force And Impedance-Based Exoskeleton Robots For Seamless Assistance And Neurologically Sound Rehabilitation.” A big congratulation to the entire LinkDyn Robotics team!! https://www.sbir.gov/node/1194479 SBIR Phase II: Force And Impedance-Based Exoskeleton Robots For Seamless Assistance And Neurologically Sound Rehabilitation ($750,000) SBIR Phase I: A High-Force-Fidelity and Compact Actuator for an Upper-Body Exoskeletal Rehabilitation Robot ($225,000)
Meet us and see our VR robot arm at the Expo (AWE2019).
Come by our booth (#S24) and meet our VR robot arm @AWEUSA2019