ICORR Workshop “Translating Rehabilitation Robotics into Clinical Applications”

Enlarged view: Biorob 2024 Heidelberg Logo

Workshop

The workshop will take place on 1 September on the BioRob 2024 in Heidelberg.
9:00-13:00 Room 6

Abstract

Robots can be very useful to restore movement abilities of upper and lower limbs. First, they can promote rehabilitation as training devices after injuries such as spinal cord injury (SCI), traumatic brain injury and stroke. Second, they can be used as assistive devices to support patients or elders with gait impairments in daily life situations. However, current mechatronic solutions are still too bulky, and their sensory technologies and control strategies are still too primitive to support the correct motion and motion intention. Furthermore, they still require a lot of effort, labor and/or surveillance by a human therapist and they are expensive and often not covered by health insurances.

Consequently, the use of robots is less intensive than it could be, and they are not yet broadly accepted by the patients and medical staff. Therefore, we need to better connect engineers with clinicians and scientists with practitioners, health care administrators and insurance companies to better define the needs and preferences of the patients, find the responders of future robot-aided therapy and enhance the distribution and acceptance of the technologies. Usability and function of the rehabilitation robots must change not only to increase acceptability but also to improve the effectiveness and, eventually, the therapy outcome and quality of life of the patients who require physiotherapy or occupational therapy.

Enlarged view: The Myoshirtis a lightweight soft wearable robot that assists upper extremity movements. It is an intuitive tool for people with muscular weakness.
The Myoshirt is a modular soft wearable robot that supports shoulder mobility by means of a textile-based exosuit.

Organizers  

  1. Robert Riener, corresponding author  (ETH Zurich & University Hospital Balgrist, Switzerland)
  2. Jonathon Sensinger (University of New Brunswick, Canada)
  3. Meret Branscheidt (Cereneo Schweiz AG & University Hospital Zurich)
09:00 – 09:25Robert Riener (ETH Zurich & University Hospital Balgrist, Switzerland): Intro 1 – Translation history, trends, and challenges
09:25 – 09:50Jon Sensinger (University of New Brunswick, Canada): Intro 2 – Clinical Translation: Theoretical best-practices vs. the realities of life
09:50 – 10:15Meret Branscheidt (Cereneo Schweiz AG & University Hospital Zurich): Quality & Quantity – Precision Rehabilitation needs Robotics
10:15 – 10:40Francesca Cecchi (Don Gnocchi, Florence): Robotic rehabilitation as an opportunity to diversify and personalize Integrated Care and Rehabilitation Pathways
10:40 – 11:00Break
11:00 – 11:25Janosch Krauthäuser (Rehazentrum Valens): Integrating Robotics into Clinical Practice: Strategic Approaches and Efficient Planning at Kliniken Valens
11:25 – 11:50Nilofar Niazi (Nextherapy, Zurich): Translation to an outpatient clinic
11:50 – 12:15Xavier Jordan (Spinal Cord Unit, SUVA-Clinic CRR Sion): Which technology for which patient at which price?
12:15 – 12:40Nicola Vitiello (SSSA Pisa): Wearable robotics: engineering and marketing challenges