Fundacíon Tecnalia Research & Innovation

Fundacion Tecnalia Research & Innovatiion

Je Hyung Jung

Thierry Keller

David Valencia Blanco

Cristina Rodriguez De Pablo

Maxime Bureau

Aitor Belloso Linacisoro

Cristina RODRÍGUEZ De Pablo

The invention refers to a portable device () for upper limb () rehabilitation which is movable over a surface, usually a flat horizontal surface, and which comprises means for detecting an intention to move from the user (), thereby providing assistance/resistance to perform the right movement just when needed, especially when the goal movement is non-deterministic. Additionally, the portable device () of the invention comprises a support structure for the forearm of a user (which can be similar to an armrest) which is pivotable, preferably in a direction of the rotational joint of elbow (it pivots vertically around a horizontal axis), thereby allowing free ergonomic elbow and shoulder flexion/extension, but restricting shoulder rotation, which is determined by the orientation of the device in order to avoid injuries. The invention further refers to a method for rehabilitating an upper limb () of a user (), and to a rehabilitation system for an upper limb () of a user (), comprising such portable device ().

Portable device for upper limb rehabilitation

The invention refers to a body fitting element with negative pressure controlled stiffness comprised of a gas tight envelope (), a plurality of layers fitted in the envelope () and a valve () adapted to evacuate the interior of the envelope, characterized in that the layers comprise a core () made of a material with a high Young's modulus and flexibility and a first cover layer at both sides of the core made of a material with high friction coefficient (). Orthoses and protective equipments fabricated with the fitting element can be shaped and fitted to the body in an optimal manner.

Fitting element with controlled stiffness

Growing community of inventors

Derio-Vizcaya, Spain

Je Hyung Jung