Title :
Robot Application of Elastic Fields to the Pelvis of the Spinal Transected Rat: a Tool for Detailed Assessment and Rehabilitation
Author :
Udoekwere, Ubong I. ; Ramakrishnan, Arun ; Mbi, Lollise ; Giszter, Simon F.
Author_Institution :
Sch. of Bioeng., Drexel Univ., Philadelphia, PA
fDate :
Aug. 30 2006-Sept. 3 2006
Abstract :
We examine robotic rehabilitation and assessment of spinalized rats, using robot applied forces at the pelvis, as a prelude to a neurorobotic BMI. Using a surgically implanted pelvic orthosis, a cantilevered phantom robot is attached to the rat pelvis. An isotropic elastic field of constant stiffness is applied and the equilibrium is adjusted to provide a `natural´ trunk posture. Rats are trained daily for 20 minutes, 5 days per week in the field. Significant within trial, and long term adaptation occurs. The interaction force assessments from the robot reveal significant differences between spinalized control rats, and rats receiving implants of E14 dorsal raphe tissue to provide a serotonin source. Our system provides an animal model of rehabilitation through robot interaction at the pelvis
Keywords :
biomechanics; man-machine systems; medical robotics; neurophysiology; orthotics; patient rehabilitation; surgery; 20 min; 5 days; E14 dorsal raphe tissue; animal model; cantilevered phantom robot; interaction force assessment; isotropic elastic field; neurorobotic BMI; pelvis; robot interaction; robotic assessment; robotic rehabilitation; serotonin source; spinal transected rat; surgically implanted pelvic orthosis; trunk posture; Circuits; Cities and towns; Control systems; Force control; Marine animals; Organizations; Pediatrics; Pelvis; Rats; Rehabilitation robotics;
Conference_Titel :
Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, 2006. EMBS '06. 28th Annual International Conference of the IEEE
Conference_Location :
New York, NY
Print_ISBN :
1-4244-0032-5
Electronic_ISBN :
1557-170X
DOI :
10.1109/IEMBS.2006.259633
