Author: Italian Institute of Technology – IIT
Published: 2024/02/23
Post type: Announcement / Notification – Peer Reviewed: N/A
Content: Summary – Major – Related Posts
Synopsis: TWIN is a portable robot for people with reduced or absent motor skills, allowing them to stand, maintain an upright position, walk and sit. The TWIN motorized exoskeleton is an external structure capable of improving the user’s physical capabilities. It has been designed to allow people with reduced or even absent motor capabilities in the lower extremities, such as in cases of complete spinal cord injuries, to maintain an upright position, walk with the help of crutches or walkers (since the exoskeleton does not is autonomous). -balance), and getting up and sitting down.
Main summary
TWIN is the name of the new robotic exoskeleton for lower limbs, designed and developed by Rehab Technologies IIT – INAIL, the joint laboratory between the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia (IIT-Italian Institute of Technology) and the INAIL Prosthetic Center (the prosthetic unit of the National Institute of Work Accident Insurance), which will allow patients to carry it more easily. Presented in Milan during a press conference held at the Museum of Science and Technology, TWIN was demonstrated by two patients who participated in testing the system during its development. TWIN is currently a prototype, but researchers hope to bring it to industrialization soon.
The TWIN exoskeleton has its origins in the IIT Rehab Technologies Lab, which is the joint laboratory between the IIT Genoa and the INAIL Prosthetic Center in Budrio (Bologna), coordinated by Matteo Laffranchi. The collaboration began in late 2013 with the goal of developing innovative, high-tech and cost-effective solutions for patients with physical disabilities.
One of the patients who used TWIN today is Alex Santucci, who accompanied technicians and researchers throughout the device design period, participating in clinical experiments as a tester. The clinical experiments were carried out not only at the INAIL Prosthetic Center in Vigorso di Budrio but also at the Montecatone Rehabilitation Institute in Imola and at Villa Beretta in Costa Masnaga (LC).
Continued…
The TWIN motorized exoskeleton is an external structure capable of improving the user’s physical capabilities. It has been designed to allow people with reduced or even absent motor capabilities in the lower extremities, such as in cases of complete spinal cord injuries, to maintain an upright position, walk with the help of crutches or walkers (since the exoskeleton does not is autonomous). -balance), and getting up and sitting down.
Two characteristics make TWIN unique in the world: it is made of lightweight materials, such as aluminum alloy, and is composed of modular components, which facilitates its usability and transportation. In addition, the structure is adjustable depending on the physical characteristics of the patient through telescopic links placed at the level of the femur and tibia. The ankle and footrests are available in various sizes to adapt to the ergonomics of the user, whether woman or man, young or adult. TWIN’s operating modes are also adaptable to the patient, evaluating the wearer’s degree of motor deficit, in particular their ability to perform autonomous walking.
Continued…
TWIN can be controlled by an operator, such as a physiotherapist, using a specific Android application installed on the provided tablet. The graphical interface allows you to control the exoskeleton in the execution of various programmed activities, configure the kinematic parameters of movement and choose between different modes of execution of steps.
The exoskeleton works in three modes of operation:
- Walking mode: Designed for patients with absent motor function, in whom the exoskeleton imposes a walking pattern according to programmed parameters.
- Retraining Mode: Used for patients with partial impairment of the motor function of the lower extremities, able to perform more or less autonomous movement but with difficulty in some phases of the step – in this case, the exoskeleton supports the patient’s movement with greater or lower intensity, directing them towards an optimal reference trajectory.
- TwinCare mode: Designed for patients with partial and differentiated motor disability between the two extremities, where one leg is healthy and can move autonomously, while the other requires assistance, more or less pronounced, in some phases of the step.
The TWIN motors activate the knee and hip joints, imposing a completely configurable movement pattern on the patient’s extremities, in terms of step length and type, and walking speed. The battery has a lifespan of approximately four hours and requires one hour to recharge.
In addition to rehabilitation clinics during physiotherapy sessions, TWIN can be used daily, even for a few hours, as adopting the upright position brings important benefits in terms of musculoskeletal, circulatory, psychological and digestive system functionality for users. of wheelchairs.
TWIN’s next goal is CE marking, which will be carried out in collaboration with an industrial partner, followed by the industrialization process. Once TWIN is on the market, it can be used by patients in need, reintegrating severely injured workers into social and work settings.
Attribution/Source(s):
This quality-reviewed publication from our Mobility and Walking Aids section was selected for distribution by the editors of Disabled World because of its likely interest to readers in our disability community. Although content may have been edited for style, clarity, or length, the article “Twin: Robotic exoskeleton for lower limbs” was originally written by the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia – IIT and submitted for publication on 02/23/2024. If you require further information or clarification, you can contact the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia – IIT at iit.it/en-US/home. Disabled World makes no warranties or representations in connection therewith.
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Permanent link: Twin: Robotic exoskeleton for lower limbs
Cite this page (APA): Italian Institute of Technology – IIT. (2024, February 23). Twin: Robotic exoskeleton for lower limbs. Disabled world. Retrieved February 23, 2024 from www.disabled-world.com/assistivedevices/mobility/walking/twin.php
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