Design and Evaluation of a Remote Actuated Finger Exoskeleton Using Motion-Copying System for Tendon Rehabilitation

Hand recovery process is a major issue in the rehabilitation field as hands are vital to perform most daily activities. This paper presents the design and evaluation of a one actuated degree-of-freedom exoskeleton finger using flexible actuator to assist patients in rehabilitation process and more specifically in tendon recovery protocols. The control strategy based on the motion-copying system is used to be able to take advantages of the sensation of the patient. The wearability and adaptability of the device are improved, compared to other specific devices, mainly by the use of remote actuation and light-weight materials. Evaluation of the device in terms of wearability, adaptability, repeatability and accuracy of the position estimation are conducted. All these criteria are confirmed. The next step is to test the device in actual recovery protocols to evaluate its efficiency.