Dr. Jacqueline Libby, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering at the Stevens Institute of Technology, is leading the way in revolutionizing stroke rehabilitation equipment with her groundbreaking soft exosuits. These lightweight and flexible devices, made from soft pneumatic actuators, are designed to integrate with the body and could soon be available for patients to wear and use in their homes.
According to Libby, with the aging population and the rise in age-related health conditions, the field of stroke rehabilitation must adapt to meet the growing need. By extending rehabilitation into patients’ homes with the use of wearable robotic technology, therapy could become more accessible and affordable for stroke patients.
Libby and her team have developed prototypes for flexible rehabilitation suits that use biosensing technologies to respond to a patient’s intended movement. These soft exosuits, produced via 3D printing, aim to help patients regain mobility by creating a feedback loop between the patient’s brain, muscles, and the device.
The team is also utilizing deep learning models and computer vision to optimize the control and safety of the soft exosuits, with the goal of improving their effectiveness in rehabilitation. Libby envisions a future where personalized rehabilitation robots are available to all who need them, providing constant assistance to patients in their homes while therapists monitor progress remotely.
With interdisciplinary collaboration and ongoing innovation, Libby believes that soft robotics can change the landscape of rehabilitation, offering stroke patients a better chance at recovery and independence. The development of these soft exosuits could transform the way stroke patients receive therapy, ultimately improving their quality of life.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image associated with the presented article. Due to copyright reasons, we are unable to use the original images. However, you can still enjoy the accurate and up-to-date content and information provided.
