Robotics Leg Exoskeleton for Movement Impaired

The development of robotic exoskeletons for gait training in the movement impaired is what Sunil K Agrawal professor of Mechanical Engineering in the University of Delaware holds close to his heart.

He presented one of the six plenary lectures at the IEEE International Conference on Biomedical Robotics and Biomechanics held in September in Tokyo.

Professor Agrawal spoke about how new developments in robotics could be used to train the human brain with a force field like environment using robotics. He said that the improvements show promise in helping the survivors of strokes regaining leg function and improving their walking ability.

An actively driven leg exoskeleton (ALEX) has been used in a study at the University of Delaware to help modulate movement in patients. John Scholz the co-principal investigator for the study is a professor of physical therapy.

Patients received training after one, three and six months in the study. Almost all patients showed an improvement in their condition.