Wearable Pediatric Gait Exoskeleton - A Feasibility Study
A. Ganguly, D. Sanz-Merodio, G. Puyuelo, A. Goñi, E. Garces, E. Garcia
Abstract
This study reports the initial testing of a gait exoskeleton for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) patients having variable muscle strength with no balance or ambulation capabilities. To improve the quality of life of such patients, a pediatric gait exoskeleton was developed. The ATLAS exoskeleton has 8 active degrees of freedom (DOF): 2 at the hip (adduction/abduction and flexion/extension), 1 at the knee and ankle joint for flexion and extension. A feasibility test was performed to gauge the initial response of the patients. This study demonstrates that the exoskeleton was able to provide gait assistance and sit-to-stand movements effectively to the subjects. This kind of wearable exoskeleton will play a key role in the rehabilitation of SMA patients and delay further metabolic degeneration in the future.
BibTeX
@inproceedings{iros2018_wearablepediatri,
title = {Wearable Pediatric Gait Exoskeleton - A Feasibility Study},
author = {A. Ganguly and D. Sanz-Merodio and G. Puyuelo and A. Goñi and E. Garces and E. Garcia},
booktitle = {IROS 2018},
year = {2018}
}