Pilot feasibility study of implementing 3D-printed assistive devices through user-provider collaboration in hospital-based stroke rehabilitation

Will your doctors and therapists look into this?

 Pilot feasibility study of implementing 3D-printed assistive devices through user-provider collaboration in hospital-based stroke rehabilitation

Akiko Yanai ,Chidawan Suyakong ,

Received 31 Aug 2025, Accepted 07 Feb 2026, Published online: 21 Feb 2026

Cite this article 

Abstract

 Objective: 

This pilot study explored the feasibility of implementing 3D-printed assistive devices in a hospital-based stroke rehabilitation setting. 

Methods: Feasibility was evaluated across four domains: acceptability, demand, implementation, and limited efficacy testing. Data were collected from both users and providers. Stroke survivors in the intervention group (n = 15) received a 3D-printed assistive technology intervention emphasising user-centered design and user-provider collaboration. Historical controls (n = 31) receiving usual care were identified from medical records. Propensity score matching generated nine matched pairs for comparison. User outcomes included the Functional Independence Measure (FIM) and the Vitality Index (VI), while occupational therapists’ perspectives (n = 10) as providers were assessed using the Japanese version of the modified Technology Acceptance Model questionnaire for 3D-printing technology (TAM-J). 

Results: 

Good acceptability was demonstrated, as all stroke survivors in the intervention group consistently used 3D-printed assistive devices in daily activities, and occupational therapists reported positive technology acceptance on the TAM-J. Strong demand was observed among stroke survivors with moderate to severe upper-extremity impairment. Regarding implementation, there were no dropouts, and user-centered devices were adopted through user-provider collaboration. In limited efficacy testing, no additional improvements in the FIM and VI scores were observed compared with controls. However, the intervention helped stroke survivors address their daily challenges. 

Conclusion: 

These findings suggested that integrating 3D-printed assistive devices into clinical workflows could be feasible. Future research needs to employ sensitive, user-centered outcome measures and collaborate with designers or rehabilitation engineers to improve the efficiency and quality of device development. 

IMPLICATIONS FOR REHABILITATION

 Although 3D printing technology facilitates user-provider collaboration in designing assistive devices, its implementation in hospital-based stroke rehabilitation still faces several challenges. A 3D-printed assistive technology intervention helped stroke survivors address their daily challenges, particularly those with moderate to severe upper-extremity impairment. The high level of acceptance among occupational therapists may promote user-provider collaboration and the development of 3D-printed assistive devices that support stroke survivors’ functional independence.

An evaluation of 3D printable elastics for post stroke dynamic hand bracing: A pilot study

Bad  research, cherry picked candidates. No survivor should be left behind.

 An evaluation of 3D printable elastics for post stroke dynamic hand bracing: A pilot study

Assistive Technology. Volume 35(6), Pgs. 513-522.

NARIC Accession Number: J93191. What's this?
Author(s): Huber, Justin, Slone, Stacey, Bazrgari, Babak.
Publication Year: 2023.
Abstract: Study explored the feasibility of using three-dimensional printable (3DP) elastic materials to create dynamic hand orthoses for stroke survivors. A dynamic orthosis featuring a replaceable finger component was fabricated using 3DP elastic materials. Duplicates of the finger component were printed using different materials ranging from low stiffness (low elastic modulus) to relatively high stiffness (high elastic modulus). Five stroke survivors with predominantly moderate hand impairment(So cherry picking! The  only goal in stroke is 100% recovery for all!) were recruited to evaluate usability and impact of orthoses on upper-extremity function and biomechanics. No significant differences in usability were found between 3D-printed orthoses and a commercial orthosis. Increases in stiffness of the 3DP material reduced pincer force and the Box and Block Test (BBT) score. In comparison, the commercial orthosis did not reduce pincer force but may reduce the BBT score to a degree that is clinically significant. These findings suggest that a dynamic orthosis is a feasible clinical application of 3DP elastic materials, and future study is warranted.
Descriptor Terms: ASSISTIVE TECHNOLOGY, DEVICES DESIGN, DEXTERITY, FEASIBILITY STUDIES, LIMBS, MOTOR SKILLS, ORTHOTICS.


Can this document be ordered through NARIC's document delivery service*?: Request Information.

Citation: Huber, Justin, Slone, Stacey, Bazrgari, Babak. (2023.) An evaluation of 3D printable elastics for post stroke dynamic hand bracing: A pilot study. Assistive Technology., 35(6), Pgs. 513-522. Retrieved 1/30/2024, from REHABDATA database.

The NuroSleeve, a user-centered 3D printed hybrid orthosis for individuals with upper extremity impairment

I couldn't find a picture so ask your doctor how likely this will restore your arm function.

The NuroSleeve, a user-centered 3D printed hybrid orthosis for individuals with upper extremity impairment

• Mehdi Khantan,
• Mikael Avery,
• Phyo Thuta Aung,
• Rachel M. Zarin,
• Emma Hammelef,
• Nabila Shawki,
• Mijail Demian Serruya &
• Alessandro Napoli 

Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation volume 20, Article number: 103 (2023) Cite this article

• Metrics details

Abstract

Background

Active upper extremity (UE) assistive devices have the potential to restore independent functional movement in individuals with UE impairment due to neuromuscular diseases or injury-induced chronic weakness. Academically fabricated UE assistive devices are not usually optimized for activities of daily living (ADLs), whereas commercially available alternatives tend to lack flexibility in control and activation methods. Both options are typically difficult to don and doff and may be uncomfortable for extensive daily use due to their lack of personalization. To overcome these limitations, we have designed, developed, and clinically evaluated the NuroSleeve, an innovative user-centered UE hybrid orthosis.

Methods

This study introduces the design, implementation, and clinical evaluation of the NuroSleeve, a user-centered hybrid device that incorporates a lightweight, easy to don and doff 3D-printed motorized UE orthosis and a functional electrical stimulation (FES) component. Our primary goals are to develop a customized hybrid device that individuals with UE neuromuscular impairment can use to perform ADLs and to evaluate the benefits of incorporating the device into occupational therapy sessions. The trial is designed as a prospective, open-label, single-cohort feasibility study of eight-week sessions combined with at-home use of the device and implements an iterative device design process where feedback from participants and therapists informs design improvement cycles.

Results

All participants learned how to independently don, doff, and use the NuroSleeve in ADLs, both in clinical therapy and in their home environments. All participants showed improvements in their Canadian Occupational Performance Measure (COPM), which was the primary clinical trial outcome measure. Furthermore, participants and therapists provided valuable feedback to guide further development.

Conclusions

Our results from non-clinical testing and clinical evaluation demonstrate that the NuroSleeve has met feasibility and safety goals and effectively improved independent voluntary function during ADLs. The study’s encouraging preliminary findings indicate that the NuroSleeve has met its technical and clinical objectives while improving upon the limitations of the existing UE orthoses owing to its personalized and flexible approach to hardware and firmware design.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04798378, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04798378, date of registration: March 15, 2021.

Background

Neuromuscular disorders impose a significant socioeconomic burden on society. There are over 7 million stroke survivors in the United States alone [1, 2], 62% of whom have a loss of dexterity in their upper extremities (UE) [3]. Approximately 291,000 Americans are living with disability due to spinal cord injury (SCI) [4], and Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) and Becker Muscular Dystrophy (BMD) combined affect around 14 in 100,000 American males [5]. Neurological disorders and diseases often result in permanent disability that prevents individuals from performing Activities of Daily Living (ADLs) independently [4, 6]. Stroke [1, 7, 8], SCI [4, 9, 10], and muscular dystrophy (MD) frequently result in debilitating UE motor impairments that persist beyond rehabilitation discharge [11, 12]. Individuals with moderate to severe neurological UE impairment frequently exhibit limited active movement in their paretic elbow and little to no active movement in their paretic wrists and fingers [13, 14].

Rehabilitation therapies that implement assistive neurotechnology devices tend to improve functional motor recovery, reducing impairment and improving independence in ADLs, quality of life, and community participation [15,16,17,18,19]. Over the past six decades, it has been shown that the use of active wearable neurotechnology devices benefits individuals living with UE impairment by helping them perform ADLs [20,21,22].

Currently, commercially available active UE orthoses for home use can be divided into two groups: (1) mechanically actuated orthoses [23,24,25,26,27], which use either electric or pneumatic motors to achieve motion; and (2) Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) orthoses [28,29,30] which electrically stimulate muscles to achieve motion. The application of electrical stimulation to a person's muscles depolarizes peripheral neurons and elicits muscle contractions, allowing the individial to perform a movement. FES can benefit individuals by substituting or enhancing movement. Repeated muscle activation using FES may also increase voluntary motor control. This suggests that the use of FES devices improves motor recovery and can serve as a rehabilitation technique as well as assist with ADLs [31, 32]. Thus, FES has evolved into a crucial treatment approach that clinicians may use to help individuals with stroke and SCI regain the capacity to stand, walk, reach, and grasp [33].

Widespread use of the cummercially available active orthoses is hindered by several factors: (1) the challenge of making them form-fitting, comfortable, authentic, easy to use, portable, and lightweight; (2) the inability to customize the placement of sensors as input controls and effectors to optimize user movements; and (3) the lack of rehabilitation professionals skilled in training individuals on how to integrate the orthosis into daily routines. To the best of our knowledge, no currently available commercial orthosis offers all the aforementioned factors for restoring UE functionality during ADLs in “real-world” situations [34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41].

Academically fabricated motorized UE orthoses have their own limitations; they often need to be fixed to a wheelchair or stationary surface (e.g., a table) [42,43,44] or require support from the person’s back and shoulders [45] in order to function. Our clinical experience suggests that most individuals would not find such devices practical to use in ADLs or in the community. Soft robotic sleeves [46,47,48,49,50,51,52] provide an alternative to motor-based approaches; however, such sleeves are not easy to don and doff, and most require an air compressor or compressed gas tanks to function. Hence, soft robotic sleeves may not easily find their market without first addressing their practicality and usability issues.

To overcome the limitations of the currently available UE orthoses, the next generation of UE devices must be simple to use to encourage acceptance and integration in ADLs while having favorable aesthetics for widespread adoption. Specifically, a user-friendly orthosis should be effective, comfortable, portable, form-fitting, safe and easy to use, easy to don and doff, and offer the individual a variety of options for controlling it. Furthermore, it should be lightweight; this is paramount because continuous usage of heavy UE orthoses may have a detrimental effect on user satisfaction and compliance and may contribute to physical problems such as pressure point formation, muscular fatigue, perspiration, and skin irritation. Also, an important requirement for the UE orthoses to be effectively incorporated into ADLs may be the battery life of more than 8 h, making it possible to be used each day on a single battery charge. These numerous requirements cannot be met in devices that are designed following the “one-size-fits-all” principle without accounting for the unique needs of each individual [34,35,36,37,38,39,40,41].

This study introduces the design, development, implementation, and clinical evaluation of the NuroSleeve, a novel user-centric active UE orthosis. The NuroSleeve design accommodates the unique needs and conditions of individuals by integrating (1) a user-specific control mechanism, (2) a custom 3D-printed, lightweight, and easy to don and doff motorized splint, and (3) an off-the-shelf FES unit to take advantage of the electrical stimulation benefits [34,35,36,37, 40]. In addition, the design process incorporates feedback from individuals to tailor the system components and functionality for their personal needs and inform overall design improvements. Our goal in developing the NuroSleeve is to meet the unique needs of individuals and promote the adoption of the technology in clinical settings, at home, and in the community.

More at link.

3D Printed Soft Robotic Hand Combining Post-Stroke Rehabilitation and Stiffness Evaluation

I like the fact they are considering treating spasticity but I can't tell from this if spastic fingers could ever get into soft gloves. 

3D Printed Soft Robotic Hand Combining Post-Stroke Rehabilitation and Stiffness Evaluation

• Chang Qiu Zhou,
• Xiang Qian Shi,
• Zheng Li &
• Kai Yu Tong 

• Conference paper
• First Online: 04 August 2022

• 1 Accesses

Part of the Lecture Notes in Computer Science book series (LNAI,volume 13457)

Abstract

Soft rehabilitation devices have been invented and applied for hand function recovery. In this paper, we propose a new Ring-reinforced 3D printed soft robotic hand, which combines hand rehabilitation and joint stiffness evaluation. The elastomer body of Ring-reinforced Soft-Elastic Composite Actuator (R-SECA) is 3D printed directly for fitting different sizes of fingers and the Iterative learning model predictive control (ILMPC) algorithm is used for controlling. Torque compensating layer inside R-SECA enables finger flexion and extension despite finger spasticity. Plastic rings are used to refrain radial expansion and reinforce the actuator. Bending angle and output tip force at different air pressure inputs are explored with four different R-SECA (120 mm, 112 mm, 96 mm, 72 mm length). Four-stroke survivors are recruited to evaluate the effectiveness of the soft robotic hand, and hand function improvement can be observed from the clinical evaluation data and stiffness evaluation outcomes.

IISc develops customisable 3D printed gloves for rehabilitating stroke patients

I like this since it is not a glove which spastic fingers could never get on.

What is your doctor's EXACT STROKE REHAB PROTOCOL FOR 100% RECOVERY OF YOUR HAND. No protocol, fire them and get the board of directors fired also for not setting correct goals for the stroke department. 

IISc develops customisable 3D printed gloves for rehabilitating stroke patients

News9 Staff News9 Staff 9 May 2022 1:25 AM IISc develops customisable 3D printed gloves for rehabilitating stroke patients The soft, wearable device for stroke rehabilitation. (Image credit: Mesoscopic Lab, Department of Physics, IISc) News The gloves can be customised for every patient and is affordable. A physiotherapist can control the device from a remote location. The device is sensitive enough to react to the touch of a butterfly. Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a soft, wearable 3D printed device that harnesses the properties of light to sense a physiotherapy patient's limb or finger movements. The customisable gloves can be remotely controlled, allowing for the possibility of teleconsultation with physiotherapists. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in India, and physiotherapy is one of the few treatment options available for stroke victims and those with physical disabilities. Depending on the severity of the disability, physiotherapy can take weeks or months, which is a challenge for the patients as well as their caregivers. Also Read - Cold-survival strategies of animals are not mutually exclusive alternatives The scientist who led the team, Aveek Bid says "We wanted to develop something affordable, and available to a person at all times at their convenience. The product should be easy to use and must provide feedback. The idea behind the device is that you wear something like a glove, the physiotherapist controls the device from a remote location through the internet, and makes your hands and fingers move." The amount of pressure applied on a ball, or the degree to which a leg with a knee injury can be bent by the patient, is crucial for doctors to monitor patients, which can be done remotely with the device. The device can be used to sense various hand and finger movements, and precisely measure parameters such as pressure, bending angle and shape. The feedback can also be used to motivate the patients to perform better in consecutive sessions. The device allows the patients to enjoy the benefits of physiotherapists without a visit to a hospital. Also Read - Researchers discover groundwater beneath glacial ice streams in Antarctica The technology is based on reflection and refraction, two fundamental properties of light. One side of the transparent, rubbery material has a light source, with a detector on the other side. The deformation of the flexible material is tracked through the alteration of the path of the light, and its properties. The light travels through the entire device, allowing movement along any point in the patient's arm or fingers to be measured. The device is sensitive enough to respond to the touch of a butterfly. The device is superior to conventional devices that can only detect the bending of the finger, but not the degree of bending at every joint. Also Read - Mars Odyssey orbiter investigate mystery of morning frost on the red planet The soft, transparent material used is a silicon-based polymer, that can be 3D printed to fit every patient's arms and fingers. The device can also capture and store data, as well as transmit it over the internet. After testing for stability over a period of 10 months, researchers found no loss in sensitivity or accuracy. The device can be manufactured entirely in India, at a cost of less than Rs 1,000. A patent application has been filed and the researchers intend to bring the device to the market soon. The underlying approach has potential applications in AR devices and medical devices for monitoring health parameters.

https://www.news9live.com/science/cold-survival-strategies-of-animals-are-not-mutually-exclusive-alternatives-169165?infinitescroll=1

 News9 Staff News9 Staff 9 May 2022 1:25 AM

IISc develops customisable 3D printed gloves for rehabilitating stroke patients 

The soft, wearable device for stroke rehabilitation. (Image credit: Mesoscopic Lab, Department of Physics, IISc) News

 

 

 

 

 The gloves can be customised for every patient and is affordable. A physiotherapist can control the device from a remote location. The device is sensitive enough to react to the touch of a butterfly. Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a soft, wearable 3D printed device that harnesses the properties of light to sense a physiotherapy patient's limb or finger movements. The customisable gloves can be remotely controlled, allowing for the possibility of teleconsultation with physiotherapists. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in India, and physiotherapy is one of the few treatment options available for stroke victims and those with physical disabilities. Depending on the severity of the disability, physiotherapy can take weeks or months, which is a challenge for the patients as well as their caregivers. Also Read - Cold-survival strategies of animals are not mutually exclusive alternatives The scientist who led the team, Aveek Bid says "We wanted to develop something affordable, and available to a person at all times at their convenience. The product should be easy to use and must provide feedback. The idea behind the device is that you wear something like a glove, the physiotherapist controls the device from a remote location through the internet, and makes your hands and fingers move." The amount of pressure applied on a ball, or the degree to which a leg with a knee injury can be bent by the patient, is crucial for doctors to monitor patients, which can be done remotely with the device. The device can be used to sense various hand and finger movements, and precisely measure parameters such as pressure, bending angle and shape. The feedback can also be used to motivate the patients to perform better in consecutive sessions. The device allows the patients to enjoy the benefits of physiotherapists without a visit to a hospital. Also Read - Researchers discover groundwater beneath glacial ice streams in Antarctica The technology is based on reflection and refraction, two fundamental properties of light. One side of the transparent, rubbery material has a light source, with a detector on the other side. The deformation of the flexible material is tracked through the alteration of the path of the light, and its properties. The light travels through the entire device, allowing movement along any point in the patient's arm or fingers to be measured. The device is sensitive enough to respond to the touch of a butterfly. The device is superior to conventional devices that can only detect the bending of the finger, but not the degree of bending at every joint. Also Read - Mars Odyssey orbiter investigate mystery of morning frost on the red planet The soft, transparent material used is a silicon-based polymer, that can be 3D printed to fit every patient's arms and fingers. The device can also capture and store data, as well as transmit it over the internet. After testing for stability over a period of 10 months, researchers found no loss in sensitivity or accuracy. The device can be manufactured entirely in India, at a cost of less than Rs 1,000. A patent application has been filed and the researchers intend to bring the device to the market soon. The underlying approach has potential applications in AR devices and medical devices for monitoring health parameters.

News9 Staff News9 Staff 9 May 2022 1:25 AM IISc develops customisable 3D printed gloves for rehabilitating stroke patients The soft, wearable device for stroke rehabilitation. (Image credit: Mesoscopic Lab, Department of Physics, IISc) News The gloves can be customised for every patient and is affordable. A physiotherapist can control the device from a remote location. The device is sensitive enough to react to the touch of a butterfly. Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a soft, wearable 3D printed device that harnesses the properties of light to sense a physiotherapy patient's limb or finger movements. The customisable gloves can be remotely controlled, allowing for the possibility of teleconsultation with physiotherapists. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in India, and physiotherapy is one of the few treatment options available for stroke victims and those with physical disabilities. Depending on the severity of the disability, physiotherapy can take weeks or months, which is a challenge for the patients as well as their caregivers. Also Read - Cold-survival strategies of animals are not mutually exclusive alternatives The scientist who led the team, Aveek Bid says "We wanted to develop something affordable, and available to a person at all times at their convenience. The product should be easy to use and must provide feedback. The idea behind the device is that you wear something like a glove, the physiotherapist controls the device from a remote location through the internet, and makes your hands and fingers move." The amount of pressure applied on a ball, or the degree to which a leg with a knee injury can be bent by the patient, is crucial for doctors to monitor patients, which can be done remotely with the device. The device can be used to sense various hand and finger movements, and precisely measure parameters such as pressure, bending angle and shape. The feedback can also be used to motivate the patients to perform better in consecutive sessions. The device allows the patients to enjoy the benefits of physiotherapists without a visit to a hospital. Also Read - Researchers discover groundwater beneath glacial ice streams in Antarctica The technology is based on reflection and refraction, two fundamental properties of light. One side of the transparent, rubbery material has a light source, with a detector on the other side. The deformation of the flexible material is tracked through the alteration of the path of the light, and its properties. The light travels through the entire device, allowing movement along any point in the patient's arm or fingers to be measured. The device is sensitive enough to respond to the touch of a butterfly. The device is superior to conventional devices that can only detect the bending of the finger, but not the degree of bending at every joint. Also Read - Mars Odyssey orbiter investigate mystery of morning frost on the red planet The soft, transparent material used is a silicon-based polymer, that can be 3D printed to fit every patient's arms and fingers. The device can also capture and store data, as well as transmit it over the internet. After testing for stability over a period of 10 months, researchers found no loss in sensitivity or accuracy. The device can be manufactured entirely in India, at a cost of less than Rs 1,000. A patent application has been filed and the researchers intend to bring the device to the market soon. The underlying approach has potential applications in AR devices and medical devices for monitoring health parameters.

https://www.news9live.com/science/cold-survival-strategies-of-animals-are-not-mutually-exclusive-alternatives-169165?infinitescroll=1

News9 Staff News9 Staff 9 May 2022 1:25 AM IISc develops customisable 3D printed gloves for rehabilitating stroke patients The soft, wearable device for stroke rehabilitation. (Image credit: Mesoscopic Lab, Department of Physics, IISc) News The gloves can be customised for every patient and is affordable. A physiotherapist can control the device from a remote location. The device is sensitive enough to react to the touch of a butterfly. Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a soft, wearable 3D printed device that harnesses the properties of light to sense a physiotherapy patient's limb or finger movements. The customisable gloves can be remotely controlled, allowing for the possibility of teleconsultation with physiotherapists. Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability in India, and physiotherapy is one of the few treatment options available for stroke victims and those with physical disabilities. Depending on the severity of the disability, physiotherapy can take weeks or months, which is a challenge for the patients as well as their caregivers. Also Read - Cold-survival strategies of animals are not mutually exclusive alternatives The scientist who led the team, Aveek Bid says "We wanted to develop something affordable, and available to a person at all times at their convenience. The product should be easy to use and must provide feedback. The idea behind the device is that you wear something like a glove, the physiotherapist controls the device from a remote location through the internet, and makes your hands and fingers move." The amount of pressure applied on a ball, or the degree to which a leg with a knee injury can be bent by the patient, is crucial for doctors to monitor patients, which can be done remotely with the device. The device can be used to sense various hand and finger movements, and precisely measure parameters such as pressure, bending angle and shape. The feedback can also be used to motivate the patients to perform better in consecutive sessions. The device allows the patients to enjoy the benefits of physiotherapists without a visit to a hospital. Also Read - Researchers discover groundwater beneath glacial ice streams in Antarctica The technology is based on reflection and refraction, two fundamental properties of light. One side of the transparent, rubbery material has a light source, with a detector on the other side. The deformation of the flexible material is tracked through the alteration of the path of the light, and its properties. The light travels through the entire device, allowing movement along any point in the patient's arm or fingers to be measured. The device is sensitive enough to respond to the touch of a butterfly. The device is superior to conventional devices that can only detect the bending of the finger, but not the degree of bending at every joint. Also Read - Mars Odyssey orbiter investigate mystery of morning frost on the red planet The soft, transparent material used is a silicon-based polymer, that can be 3D printed to fit every patient's arms and fingers. The device can also capture and store data, as well as transmit it over the internet. After testing for stability over a period of 10 months, researchers found no loss in sensitivity or accuracy. The device can be manufactured entirely in India, at a cost of less than Rs 1,000. A patent application has been filed and the researchers intend to bring the device to the market soon. The underlying approach has potential applications in AR devices and medical devices for monitoring health parameters.

https://www.news9live.com/science/cold-survival-strategies-of-animals-are-not-mutually-exclusive-alternatives-169165?infinitescroll=1

IISc develops customisable 3D printed gloves for rehabilitating stroke patients

https://www.news9live.com/science/iisc-develops-customisable-3d-printed-gloves-for-rehabilitating-stroke-patients-169155

A HERO for Stroke Patients: a new hand exoskeleton 3D printed on textiles for rehabilitation

This sounds great. Where is the protocol for building it AND the protocol for recovery of your hand? Your hospital should have it available in one month. If not, have the board of directors fired.

A HERO for Stroke Patients: a new handexoskeleton 3D printed on textiles for rehabilitation

Rommel Soares de Araujo*
, Camille Reategui Silva, Severino Peixoto Nunes Netto, Edgard Morya and
Fabricio Lima Brasil

Abstract

Background: 

Stroke survivors can be affected by motor deficits in the hand.
Robotic equipment associated with brain-machine interfaces (BMI) may aid the
motor rehabilitation of these patients. BMIs involving orthotic control by motor
imagery practices have been successful in restoring stroke patients’ movements.
However, there is still little acceptance of the robotic devices available, either by
patients and clinicians, mainly because of the high costs involved. Motivated by
this context, the present work aims to design and construct the Hand
Exoskeleton for Rehabilitation Objectives (HERO) to recover extension and
flexion movements of the fingers.
Methods: 

A 3D printing technique in association with textiles was used to
produce a lightweight and wearable device. 3D-printed actuators have also been
designed to reduce equipment costs. The actuator transforms the torque of DC
motors into linear force transmitted by Bowden cables to move the fingers
passively. The exoskeleton was controlled by neuroelectric signal —
electroencephalography (EEG). Concept tests were performed to evaluate control
performance. A healthy volunteer was submitted to a training block with the
exoskeleton, according to the Graz-BCI protocol. Ergonomy was evaluated with a
2D tracking software.
Results: 

The outcome of the applied manufacturing technique was aesthetically
pleasing. HERO’s glove can be compared to ordinary clothing. The weight over
the hand was around 102 g. The volunteer(Was this a stroke survivor?) was able to control the exoskeleton
with 91.5% accuracy.
Conclusions: 

HERO’s project resulted in a lightweight, simple, portable,
ergonomic, and low-cost device. Its use is not restricted to a clinical setting.
Thus, users will be able to execute motor training with the HERO at hospitals,
rehabilitation clinics, and home, increasing the rehabilitation intervention time.
This may favor motor rehabilitation and improve the life quality of stroke
survivors.
 

Designing One Degree of Freedom Nursing Robot for Stroke Rehabilitation

I can't figure out how to visualize how this looks or works. So impossible to tell my doctor to make something similar using 3d software. 

Designing One Degree of Freedom Nursing Robot for Stroke Rehabilitation

Nurul Muthmainnah Mohd Noor¹ and Muhammad Haziq Suhaimi¹

Published under licence by IOP Publishing Ltd
IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, Volume 767, 1st International Symposium on Engineering and Technology (ISETech) 2019 23 December 2019, Perlis, Malaysia

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Abstract

Rehabilitation training is a method of post-treatment for physically injured part of body especially the stroke patients. The training task such as massage and repetition exercises are needed to help them to have a normal life as before by a physiotherapist. The physiotherapist or physical therapy is a person who has experienced to treat disease or injury by physical methods. Therefore, a main objective of this paper is to develop a nursing-care robot system that can assist the stroke patient in doing daily activities. A one-degree of freedom nursing robot was designed based on the right-hand bicep using CATIA software. This robot was associated with the electromyography (EMG) sensors in order to collect the data from the muscle contractions. Meanwhile the EMG sensor is a muscle sensor that detect an electrical potential between the two-contraction flexion or extension muscle using the polymer Ag/AgCl coated electrodes. Then, the data from the muscle was sent to the Arduino microcontroller to control the servo motor. The different angle of servo motor can give the direction of movement of the nursing-care robot. The nursing robot was activated by electrical potential from the contraction of the muscle. The value of servo angle from 0 to 100 degrees angle made the robot will move up and down. The movement of robot in up and down direction is likely same as the therapist assistance doing to their patient. The size of robot is about 600 mm × 100 mm length and width and then was fabricated using 3D printer with one degree of freedom (DOF). The limitation of this project is focusing only the hand right hand bicep brachii muscle physiotherapy exercise.

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A wearable 3D printed elbow exoskeleton to improve upper limb rehabilitation in stroke patients

You'll have to have your doctor get this book from Chinese scientists, the eBook is only $160. Then your doctor can contact a 3d printing contractor to get this built for you.

A wearable 3D printed elbow exoskeleton to improve upper limb rehabilitation in stroke patients

BCN3D Sigma 3D printer helps 16-year-old swimmer in stroke rehabilitation

I bet your doctors and stroke hospital have NEVER THOUGHT of anything innovative like this to help their stroke survivors. Why should they, they are paid by the hour not any results?
https://www.tctmagazine.com/3d-printing-news/bcn3d-sigma-3d-printer-swimmer-stroke-rehab/

Pedro, 16, suffered a stroke in August 2012.

by Sam Davies

11 January 2018

09:40

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Pedro takes to the pool with his 3D printed customised orthotic fin, which helps the movement of his right arm.

A 16-year-old boy has received a boost to his stroke rehabilitation after two students from the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) harnessed BCN3D’s 3D printing technology to manufacture a customised orthotic swimming fin.

Pedro is a local teenager, a sports fanatic, who was left half paralysed after a left ganglion basal haemorrhage in August 2012. Thanks to a lengthy period of rehab, Pedro recovered most of his mobility, except in his right hand which was affected by spasticity, a disorder of the central nervous system which hinders the movement of muscles.

July 2016, nearly four years on from the stroke, was the beginning of a new sports project at the Club de Natacio I’Hospitalet, a swimming club with a newly created adapted swimming section. Pedro was encountering problems with his hand positioning due to the effects of the stroke, so his coach, Alex Agut, and the President of the club, Jordi Lorca, contacted UPC’s CIM centre to discuss a potential solution. Marc Roca and Inigo Martinez-Ayo, Master’s students in Design and Engineering in Product Development at UPC, were tasked with solving the problem.

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The fin was printed in Nylon using the BCN3D Sigma machine.

The pair decided Fused Filament Fabrication technology would be their best bet, believing they could save time in the prototyping and testing phases. Using the BCN3D Sigma machine, Marc and Inigo developed the fin within four weeks. They made ten functional prototypes, where they experimented with different shapes and materials, while remaining within their €100 budget. Eventually, Marc and Inigo settled on Nylon, citing its mechanical and chemical properties, and its durability, flexibility and resistance to corrosion. PVA material was used to print supports, which Marc and Inigo say helped achieve better surface quality.

Within just a few weeks of Marc and Inigo getting to work on the project Pedro was able to utilise his swimming fin, and has seen some marked improvements in his swimming performance. Since he began wearing the fin, Pedro and his Club de Natacio I’Hospitalet coaching team have reported improvements in body position and movement; an increase of musculature in the upper body; and it has encouraged him to spend more time in the pool.