Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Rehabilitator

Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) Rehabilitator

Jisha Jijo, Divya R., Helena Nerin Anthony, Pooja Venugopalan, Sruthi Satheeskumar, Upana Uthaman
Copyright: © 2011 |Pages: 7
DOI: 10.4018/ijbre.2011010103
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Abstract

The proposed device is a rehabilitation aid for the prevention of secondary diseases usually associated with Spinal Cord Injury. In such patients the calf muscles are degenerated and there is abnormality in systemic blood circulation. Thus there is a high risk of the patient being subjected to death. For faster recovery in such a patient, it is medically recommended that he or she is given continuous passive motion for a longer duration. This is done by a physiotherapist using his manual power. The movements usually given are: adduction and abduction, flexion and extension, plantar-flexion and dorsi-flexion. The outcome of such a process will be very limited as it is a laborious task. Thus the main objective behind this project is to provide continuous movement so as to improve the patient’s joint mobility and muscle flexibility thereby enhancing the blood circulation and neuro muscular activity in a low-cost technique. The device automatizes all the movements provided by a physiotherapist. Three different motors are used to control each of the movements listed. Basically, it is a mechanical model in which speed, torque, angle and time of each of the movements can be adjusted. The device is battery-powered and provides complete patient-circuit isolation and is inclusive of all patient safety parameters.
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2. Block Diagram

The designed block diagram of the device is shown. Complete patient safety and other parameters have been considered in the proposed design

A. Explanation

The device uses PIC 16F877A microcontroller. It is connected to a 230V- 50Hz power supply during which the battery charges. The device doesn’t get switched ON until the main power supply is OFF, thereby providing complete patient- circuit isolation.

Three different DC- motors (Figure 1) are used to provide the desired movements. One motor (knee flexion- extension) is controlled by a gear box so as to adjust the torque required. Control Panel and display are provided for the easier adjustments of the parameters (Oblak, Cikajlo, & Matjacic, 2010; Kalsi, 2008; Bali, 2006).

Figure 1.

Block diagram

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3. Mechanical Setup

The complete mechanical set-up (Figure 2) is made using mild steel. Three mechanical movements using three motors are used for hip, knee and ankle joint of the lower limbs. The motor used for knee movement is provided with a gear box for torque adjustment. The motors used are two 45W-4A motor for hip and knee and 25W- 2A motor for ankle movement.

Figure 2.

Mechanical drawing

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