An exoskeleton is a mechanical structure equipped with joints that enable the movement of the body in which it is located. There are different types of exoskeletons, which fulfill various functions. Its hardness can vary depending on the function for which it is designed, and it can be either hard or a little softer. There is currently a robotic exoskeleton used in neurorehabilitation, as it assists the patient’s brain, facilitating their ability to walk.
Different types of exoskeletons
The different types of exoskeletons created for humans serve to support, assist and enhance limited physical capabilities.
They can be electrical or mechanical and are used to:
- Rehabilitation. Helps in recovering balance and movement. In people who suffer from a disability, the exoskeleton has biometric sensors that detect the body’s nerve signals.
- military activity. Optimizes skill in the use of weapons.
- Physical training. In modern gyms, this equipment helps to enhance muscle work.
- Hard work. They allow you to endure forced postures for longer periods of time. In addition, it makes it easier to travel short distances with greater speed and speed.
The use of exoskeletons in neurorehabilitation
The Neural and Cognitive Engineering Group of the CSIC at the Robotic Automatic Center, led by Eduardo Rocon, analyze and study the results of their latest exoskeleton prototype. This is a flexible model designed for the rehabilitation of the lower extremities in children aged 1 to 3 years who suffer from cerebral palsy.
It is a platform that attaches to the child’s feet and hips externally. It has motors that prompt the patient to start walking. In this way, they seek to verify if there is feedback between the motor stimulation of the platform and the patient’s cognitive development.
There are also exoskeletons in nature.
Exoskeletons, present in some creatures of the animal kingdom, constitute a resistant structure that acts as an effective defense against predators, since their hardness prevents many of them from being able to pierce it with their attacks. They continue to be the main source of scientific inspiration in the development of various types of exoskeletons.
Most arthropods, such as insects (ants, beetles, etc.), arachnids (spiders, scorpions, etc.), crustaceans (prawns, shrimp, crabs, lobsters, etc.) and myriapods (centipedes, etc. .), have an exoskeleton. Its purpose ranges from protection to breathing and mechanical support, guaranteeing the effectiveness of the muscular system. It is not limited to arthropods, since examples such as turtles, belonging to the group of reptiles, also have an exoskeleton.
Science and engineering come together once again
The Center for Clinical Neuroscience at Los Madroños Hospital was chosen as a testing center for exoskeletons for rehabilitation. Researchers in the sector have at their disposal a test environment for exoskeletons that simulate everyday scenarios, providing companies and researchers in the field with a perfect place to evaluate the performance of their technologies at any stage of their development.
Exoskeletons to improve posture in children with cerebral palsy, or for people who lost the ability to walk after a stroke. A robotic leg that simulates the movement of the knee, or a robot that activates the muscles of the lower extremities in people suffering from a spinal cord injury. There is much left to discover, in order to improve the quality of life of those people who need to rehabilitate their body.
