WREX - A Case Study of the Wilmington Robotic Exoskeleton
By Sample, Whitney; Rahman, Tariq; Seliktar, Rami; Scavina, Mena; Clark, Alisa; Alexander, Michael; Proceedings of the RESNA 25th International Conference, Vol. 22, No. 1, pp. 175-177Publication Date: June/July 2002
Case study featuring the Wilmington Robotic Exoskeleton (WREX), which is a Functional Upper Arm Orthosis developed at the Dupont Hospital for Children in Wilmington, Delaware. The WREX consists of two main units: (1) a forearm, and (2) an upper arm; both are connected by a single degree of freedom elbow joint, which is attached to a two degree of freedom shoulder joint. This variable shoulder joint allows for misalignment and limb length discrepancies between the users and the orthosis. The WREX is mounted to a wheelchair using a modified camera clamp attached to a rod and bracket system. An 11-year-old boy with Spinal Muscular Atrophy who uses a wheelchair was monitored using the WREX during a 10-day trial period. The participant reported difficulty in lifting heavy objects and elevating his elbows. Prior to the study, the participant took part in the Jebsen test, which is a standardized manual dexterity task. The Jebsen test measures functionality in common activities. After the ten-day trial period, the Jebsen test was administered a second time, yielding positive results. In a card-turning task designed to simulate page turning, the participant improved by more than three seconds.
Assistive Products Discussed: WREX - WILMINGTON ROBOTIC EXOSKELETON
Published by: Rehabilitation Engineering & Assistive Technology Society of North America (RESNA) (Website:http://www.resna.org)
ISBN: 00-932101-44-5
This publication is included in the library of the National Rehabilitation Information Center (NARIC), accession number O14511
