New Robotic Arm Improves Functional Abilities
From: Physical Therapy Products - June 2005 - page 52

Stroke survivors may soon have a new assistive tool to perform basic tasks
such as grasping objects and feeding themselves. 

The device, called Rupert I for Robotic Upper Extremity Repetitive Therapy,
is being developed by biomedical engineer Jiping He, PhD and his colleagues
at Arizona State University and Kinetic MusclesInc, Tempe AZ, a start-up
biotech company. Rupert I is powered by four pneumatic muscles and is movable
at the shoulder, elbow, and wrist. The design was based on a kinematics model
of the arm, which showed where to locate the pneumatic muscles and how much
force was needed for normal reaching and feeding movements. The arm is
adjustable to accommodate different arm lengths and body sizes and can be
worn at home. 

The first prototype of Rupert I was tested on able-bodied individuals and
stroke survivors ranging from 5-foot females to more than 6-foot males at
Banner Good Samaritan Regional Medical Center in Phoenix. In addition, two
stroke survivors completed a 3-week course of therapy using Rupert I. 

A second generation prototype, Rupert II, is under development using the
results of the fitting evaluations and therapy testing at the medical center. 

Links:
Jiping He, PhD
http://ceaspub.eas.asu.edu/neuralmotor/hjpcv.htm

Robotic Arm Could Help Stroke Survivors Regain Range of Motion 
http://www.whitaker.org/news/he.html
http://www.physorg.com/printnews.php?newsid=3870
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=23478&nfid=rssfeeds
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-04/wf-rac042605.php
http://www.physorg.com/news3870.html
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/04/050427094626.htm

ASU Researchers Team with Kinetic Muscles, Inc. to Develop Robotic Arm
http://www.asu.edu/biodesign/news/pr28Apr05-RUPERT.html

Rehabilitation Research Laboratory
http://ceaspub.eas.asu.edu/neuralmotor/

Kinetic Muscles, Inc.
http://www.kineticmuscles.com/01kw2g2.html

Robotic arm for stroke rehabilitation
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/medicalnews.php?newsid=23909

ASU researchers develop robotic arm for stroke rehabilitation
http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2005-05/asu-art050405.php

Robotic Arm Offers Hope For Some Stroke Patients
http://www.voanews.com/english/2005-05-25-voa41.cfm

Robotic Arm Could Help Stroke Survivors
http://www.scienceblog.com/cms/node/7679

Robotic arm will help stroke survivors
http://www.roboticsdaily.com/headline/Robotic-arm-will-help-stroke-survivors.html
http://www.news-medical.net/?id=9533

Robotic arm holds promise for stroke survivors
http://www.asu.edu/news/sci_tech/roboticarm_051705.htm

Stroke Victims Get a Helping Arm from ‘Rupert’
http://www.cbn.com/cbnnews/news/050518d.asp?option=print

Robotic arm to help stroke survivor regain some motion
http://www.we-make-money-not-art.com/archives/005535.php

Robot Arm Developed For Stroke Victims 
http://www.applesforhealth.com/HealthyFeatures/radfsv6.html
http://www.washtimes.com/upi-breaking/20050427-063604-2199r.htm

Robot Guides Stroke Patients' Recovery
http://abcnews.go.com/WNT/Health/story?id=762873&page=1

Robotic Arm Holds Promise For Stroke Survivors
http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2005/05/050525105539.htm