Applications of a Fluidic Artificial Hand in the Field of Rehabilitation

Since the early middle of last century, use of artificial robotic hands in the field of rehabilitation has been associated with prosthetic devices used for the therapy of upper limb deficiency. Artificial manipulators of the last century were used in general for industrial applications or for service tasks of telemanipulation. In the last three decades, service robotics developed very rapidly. In recent years, robotic systems which are able to complete service tasks in direct cooperation with humans became popular [Yuta at al., (2006)]. Modern robotic rehabilitation devices are intelligent systems used for movement assistance, physical support and indoor navigation, physical rehabilitation, vocational rehabilitation, and interactive entertainment [Bien, Stefanov (2004)]. Dextrous manipulation has become the subject of research for many scientists around the world and artificial hands are used in a wide area of applications [Venkataraman, Iberall (1990)]. Investigations of hand construction, artificial design, and manipulation abilities resulted in the development of different hand prototypes for service robotics, prosthetics, and rehabilitation [Muzumdar (2004); DeLaurentis et al., (2000); Pons et al., (1998); Pons et al., (2000); Lee et al., (2000); Light, Chappell, (2000); Weir ff et al., (2001); Kyberd et al., (2003); Walker (2003); Boblan et al., (1999); Plettenburg (2002); Hirzinger et al., (2004); Jacobsen et al. (1986); Townsend (2000)]. In view of the dexterity of natural hands, it may be assumed that there are problems in the development of dextrous artificial hands, including controllability, hand geometry, hand functionality, development and placement of sensors; sensory fusion, and the need for better actuators [Subramanian T. Venkataraman, Thea Iberall (1990)]. As regards the different criteria related to artificial manipulators, which were discussed in research literature, we share the opinion that acceptance of robotic devices by the user plays a very important role in the development of manipulator constructions. Safety and simplicity of usage are no less important aspects of device architectures. Universality of components, their modularity and changeability should be taken into account and can allow for reducing the energy consumption and production costs of whole systems.