Differentiating ability in users of the ReWalkTM powered exoskeleton: An analysis of walking kinematics

Mukul Talaty, Alberto Esquenazi, Jorge E. Briceno

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

204 Scopus citations

Abstract

The ReWalkTM powered exoskeleton assists thoracic level motor complete spinal cord injury patients who are paralyzed to walk again with an independent, functional, upright, reciprocating gait. We completed an evaluation of twelve such individuals with promising results. All subjects met basic criteria to be able to use the ReWalkTM - including items such as sufficient bone mineral density, leg passive range of motion, strength, body size and weight limits. All subjects received approximately the same number of training sessions. However there was a wide distribution in walking ability. Walking velocities ranged from under 0.1m/s to approximately 0.5m/s. This variability was not completely explained by injury level The remaining sources of that variability are not clear at present. This paper reports our preliminary analysis into how the walking kinematics differed across the subjects - as a first step to understand the possible contribution to the velocity range and determine if the subjects who did not walk as well could be taught to improve by mimicking the better walkers.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2013 IEEE 13th International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics, ICORR 2013
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Event2013 IEEE 13th International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics, ICORR 2013 - Seattle, WA, United States
Duration: Jun 24 2013Jun 26 2013

Publication series

NameIEEE International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics
ISSN (Print)1945-7898
ISSN (Electronic)1945-7901

Conference

Conference2013 IEEE 13th International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics, ICORR 2013
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CitySeattle, WA
Period6/24/136/26/13

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • Control and Systems Engineering
  • Rehabilitation
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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