Real Talk On Disability
ADLs or Activities of Daily Living like drinking, eating and bathing requires mobility specifically of the hands necessary for human survival.
Loss of muscle control, impairment, activity limitation, as well as restrictions due to stroke, cancer, accidents, and injuries impairs independence which creates a huge impact on one's life.
People who experience such disabilities undergo several rehabilitative activities such as occupational therapy and physical therapy. These require a medical professional that would assist in therapies so that the patient would be more independent in doing daily tasks and get his life back.
EsoGlove - Robotic Hand Gloves
In response to this debilitating loss of normal hand functions, the National University of Singapore under bio-engeneering department developed a smart rehabilitative assistive device called the EsoGloves.
The innovative minds of the Evolution Innovation Lab led by Assistant Professor Raye Yeow made this soft, lightweighted, and highly flexible robotic hand gloves that will help patients who are suffering from nerve-related conditions that caused loss of function and range of motion of hands and fingers.
It has a 200-gram silicone rubber connected to pneumatic actuator which detect muscle hand signals from a sensor allowing it to move with desired motion. This is also made of spandex which is washable and has an adjustable strap to ensure comfort.
The EsoGloves is available in two forms - the Table Top for hospital patients in bed and Portable version with the pouch worn around the waist for patients who are always on the move.
How Does It Work?
Air pumps into the silicone pneumatic actuators in the glove that deforms and do simple tasks such as pinching and grasping. This is very helpful especially if the patient wants to hold a bottle for drinking or a spoon for eating.
EsoGlove also has a sensor that captures muscle signals that controls the glove and provides passive assistance to the movement with user intent detection. It is wireless EMG-controlled.
Milestones of EsoGlove
· Team EsoGlove won the Grand Prize in Bio-ideate Asia-Pacific Biohacking Competition 2016 against 21 entries and Silver Award in EMedic Global 2016 held in Hong Kong.
· It was showcased in InnovFest unBound 2016 in Singapore wherein latest innovations in Asia are presented globally.
· It was featured in Material Views which is a Wiley-owned website known for globally-renowned academic publishing company
· Presented in the IDA (Infocommunication Development Authority of Singapore) Tech Saturday on June 2016.
· Dr Raye Yeow's article "Soft Wearable Machines for Robot-Assisted Rehabilitation" was featured in Asia-Pacific Biotech News.
A Recent Upgrade On Robotic Hand Rehabilitative Devices
What are currently available in the market are rigid robotic hands that weigh more and give the patient an unnatural feeling. This smart assistive device will help patients gain back their autonomy on doing simple tasks even without the help of a therapist which in the process saves time, money, and effort.
The EsoGlove is actually a much improved version of robotic hand rehabilitation devices out in the market because it is made of soft materials, lightweight, has built-in sensors that detect muscle signals, comforms to natural hand movements, lessens discomfort, and minimizes risks of injury.
Dr Lim Yeon Hoon, Senior Consultant at National University Hospital stated, "By mobilizing the patient's hand and fingers, we can also activate the patient's brain cells which can reconnect enough cells. And then also, it can improve the motor and muscle control of the hand and finger muscles". With this, it will provide rehabilitative patients independence and more control of their lives.
