A 3D Printed Wearable Glove with Inflatable Chambers

For individuals with limited hand mobility due to injury or surgery, active hand-rehabilitation is critical for regaining range of motion, flexibility, and strength. This study presents a novel wearable glove designed to enhance active hand rehabilitation therapy. The wearable glove, fabricated using three-dimensional printing (3D printing) with flexible thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU 60) and durable tough polylactic acid (tough PLA), features adjustable inflatable chambers targeting the torque applied to metacarpophalangeal (MCP) and proximal interphalangeal (PIP) joints. These chambers enable personalized resistance training by allowing therapists to adjust air pressure within the chambers. The variation of stiffness and resistance force exerted by the chambers, as well as torsional stiffness at the MCP and PIP joints during finger bending, are investigated. This research contributes to the development of pressure-based personalized resistance training for hand rehabilitation. Results indicate that the adjustable chambers in the wearable device offer a promising approach to enhance hand rehabilitation.