Fundacíon Tecnalia Research & Innovation

Fundacion Fatronik

Fundacion Tecnalia Research & Innovatiion

Textia Innovative Solutions, S.l.

Thierry Keller

Je Hyung Jung

Cristina Rodriguez De Pablo

Ettore Cavallaro

Nebojsa Malesevic

Nebojsa Malesević

David Valencia Blanco

Aitor Belloso Linacisoro

Maxime Bureau

Dejan Popovic

Carolina Vera MARTÍN

Jan F Veneman

Neboj A Male Evic

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

Apparatus for external activation of paralyzed body parts by stimulation of peripheral nerves which comprises a soft apparel provided with multi-pad electrodes on one side and activating means on the other side, wherein the activating means are adapted to allow activation and control of a delivered electrical pulse to each multi-pad electrode separately.

Apparatus for external activation of paralyzed body parts by stimulation of peripheral nerves

The portable device for rehabilitating an impaired user having difficulties in executing simultaneous reaching and lifting tasks comprises an armrest whereto the forearm of the user can be fastened and mechanism for enabling the movement of the armrest on a surface. It furthermore comprises mechanism for monitoring the movement of the armrest and mechanism for sensing a force exercised by the arm of the user in an orthogonal direction to the surface. The device enables the user to conduct reaching movements in a large workspace having the forearm supported and fastened. The fact that the forearm is supported and fastened to the device allows for better control of the shoulder training movements, avoiding uncontrolled trajectories at the level of the elbow that are possible in case only a handle is grasped.

Growing community of inventors

San Sebastian, Spain

Thierry Keller