Howard
Hand-Wrist Assisting Robotic Device
A Robot called Howard (Hand-Wrist Assisting Robotic Device) help patients to recover their usual strength and use of their hands following a stroke. It wraps around the hand then the patient begins hand movement on his or her own; the robotic therapy device monitors the movement and gives support to complete each action. HOWARD actually helps the brain relearn how to act upon tasks. According to Dr. Steven C. Cramer of UCI “Most spontaneous improvement in function occurs in the first three months after a stroke, and after that things tend to plateau, Robot-assisted therapy may help rewire the brain and make weak limbs move better long afterwards.â€
Trend Themes
1. Robot-assisted Therapy - The use of robots in physical therapy can help retrain the brain and improve motor function long after a stroke.
2. Assistive Robotics - Robotic devices that wrap around the hand to assist in movement can help stroke patients regain their strength and motor skills.
3. Brain-machine Interfaces - Connecting the brain and technology can help assist the brain in relearning movement and motor skills after a stroke.
Industry Implications
1. Healthcare - Robot-assisted therapy and assistive robotics have potential to revolutionize physical therapy and rehabilitation services.
2. Robotics - Robot technology can be applied to assistive devices to help stroke patients regain function and independence.
3. Neuroscience - Research into brain-machine interfaces has potential to improve rehabilitation outcomes for stroke patients and other neurological conditions.