Design and Control of a Pneumatic Rehabilitation Glove Through Web and Mobile Application
摘要
Pneumatic components are widely present in many modern products and are most used in so-called automated production systems. These systems involve simple industrial automation tasks, such as using pneumatic cylinders for operations like applying adhesive to materials on a conveyor belt or holding tools used in manufacturing, as well as in various types of medical devices. Pneumatics is easy to use, offers generally universal solutions, and largely relies on standardized components. As a working medium, pneumatics uses a compressible fluid – most commonly air. This paper presents the design of a pneumatic rehabilitation glove intended for patients recovering from a stroke, which is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Hand impairment is a common and often permanent consequence of stroke. The so-called “golden period” for optimal recovery of hand function typically occurs within the first 3 months post-stroke. Several scientific studies have demonstrated the potential to improve motor function through repetitive and identical movements of the affected limbs, due to the brain’s ability to reorganize itself (neuroplasticity) to restore motor functions. This paper highlights the advantages of a pneumatic rehabilitation glove as a support tool in therapy, which is often labor-intensive, costly, and inefficient. Various mechanical rehabilitation devices have been developed to aid hand recovery. The proposed device assists patients in flexion and extension of the hand and effectively supports grasping different objects. The paper also presents a web and mobile application for controlling and managing the pneumatic glove, along with the integration of pressure sensors on the glove and an Arduino control unit.