Robotic Arm for Stroke Victims

Reported June 2005

TEMPE, Ariz. (Ivanhoe Broadcast News) -- It strikes without warning and can kill within seconds. Over 750,000 Americans suffer a stroke each year. Most survive, but many are left unable to walk or use their arms. Now a discovery and breakthrough in science could change their lives.

Step-by-step, Jerry Smith is moving closer to getting his life back. "I played golf," he says. "I played with my grandkids. I ran." Two months ago, Smith’s life took a drastic turn. "I couldn't talk at all. I couldn't move this arm or this leg."

Smith is one of almost 5 million stroke survivors struggling to relearn the basics. This new device -- that uses audio and visual cues -- could help him.

Dubbed RUPERT -- which stands for robotic upper extremity repetitive therapy -- it's designed to help stroke patients regain the energy of motion in their arms.

Bioengineer Jiping He, Ph.D., of Arizona State University Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering in Tempe, Ariz.., and his colleagues at Kinetic Muscles Incorporated created the robotic arm and this virtual reality screen to work together. "The motion of your arm, assisted by RUPERT, is picked up and displayed on the computer," Dr. He tells Ivanhoe.

This robotic arm's four muscles use compressed air to help patients move their shoulders, elbows and wrists. The goal? To reach for a cup on the table.

"The smoother, faster you move, the louder, more continuous pleasant music will play back," Dr. He says.

But when the movement is jerky or too slow, the music isn’t as comforting. New research is proving by repeating the motion, stroke survivors can recover much faster.

Dr. He is hoping RUPERT will become part of stroke survivors' therapy and affordable enough they will be able to use it at home. It could be available to the public in three years.

Click here to Go Inside This Science or contact:

Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.
1828 L Street, N.W., Suite 1202
Washington, D.C. 20036-5104
(202) 785-0017
ieeeusa@ieee.org
http://www.ieee.org

Human Factors and Ergonomics Society
PO Box 1369
Santa Monica, CA 90406
(310) 394-1811
http://www.hfes.org/


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