The Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Jodhpur has built a robotic trainer for lower limb rehabilitation by physiotherapy. According to a press release by IIT Jodhpur, researcher Dr Jayant Kumar Mohanta, Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering along with other co-researchers has designed robotic trainers that can be used in physiotherapy to treat lower limb disabilities.
According to the researcher lead, “The robotic trainer we have designed will help provide physiotherapy to paralytic patients, and for those who have spinal cord injuries that have disrupted their lower limb function.” Limb disability is a serious issue among Indians, and is caused by age-related ailments, physical deformations, accidents, strokes, polio, etc.
The IIT Jodhpur researcher has proposed a robot manipulator arrangement that is capable of providing motion to the ankle in all three planes i.e., sagittal, transverse and coronal planes. Most existing robotic systems treat patients by performing motions only in sagittal plane. For complete limb movement, sagittal movement is not sufficient and movements in transverse (upper and lower body) and coronal (front and back) planes are also essential.
Dr Mohanta, Assistant Professor of IIT Jodhpur explained, “Complete Rehabilitation is possible if the correct sequence of therapies is executed. Robots will be able to do it without getting tired.” The usefulness of the robotic trainer was confirmed using computer-based simulations along with a motion control scheme.
In order to fulfil this increasing demand for engineers with diverse backgrounds in the field of robotic and mobility systems, and to support relevant research and development, an MTech Programme in Robotics and Mobility Systems is launched by IIT Jodhpur. This program is offered by IDRP Robotics and Mobility Systems.