Design of a 3D printed lightweight orthotic device based on twisted and coiled polymer muscle: iGrab hand orthosis

Lokesh Saharan; Ashvath Sharma; Monica Jung de Andrade; Ray H. Baughman; Yonas Tadesse

doi:10.1117/12.2260266

11 April 2017 Design of a 3D printed lightweight orthotic device based on twisted and coiled polymer muscle: iGrab hand orthosis

Lokesh Saharan, Ashvath Sharma, Monica Jung de Andrade, Ray H. Baughman, Yonas Tadesse

Author Affiliations +

Proceedings Volume 10164, Active and Passive Smart Structures and Integrated Systems 2017; 1016428 (2017) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2260266
Event: SPIE Smart Structures and Materials + Nondestructive Evaluation and Health Monitoring, 2017, Portland, Oregon, United States

Abstract

Partial or total upper extremity impairment affects the quality of life of a vast number of people due to stroke, neuromuscular disease, or trauma. Many researchers have presented hand orthosis to address the needs of rehabilitation or assistance on upper extremity function. Most of the devices available commercially and in literature are powered by conventional actuators such as DC motors, servomotors or pneumatic actuators. Some prototypes are developed based on shape memory alloy (SMA) and dielectric elastomers (DE). This study presents a customizable, 3D printed, a lightweight exoskeleton (iGrab) based on recently reported Twisted and Coiled Polymer (TCP) muscles, which are lightweight, provide high power to weight ratio and large stroke. We used silver coated nylon 6, 6 threads to make the TCP muscles, which can be easily actuated electrothermally. We reviewed briefly hand orthosis created with various actuation technologies and present our design of tendon-driven exoskeleton with the muscles confined in the forearm area. A single muscle is used to facilitate the motion of all three joints namely DIP (Distal interphalangeal), PIP (Proximal Interphalangeal) and MCP (Metacarpophalangeal) using passive tendons though circular rings. The grasping capabilities, along with TCP muscle properties utilized in the design such as life cycle, actuation under load and power inputs are discussed.

Conference Presentation

Citation Download Citation

Lokesh Saharan, Ashvath Sharma, Monica Jung de Andrade, Ray H. Baughman, and Yonas Tadesse "Design of a 3D printed lightweight orthotic device based on twisted and coiled polymer muscle: iGrab hand orthosis", Proc. SPIE 10164, Active and Passive Smart Structures and Integrated Systems 2017, 1016428 (11 April 2017); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.2260266

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