Vanderbilt exoskeleton
{{Short description|Powered exoskeleton}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=December 2018}}
{{ infobox robot
| name = Indego
| logo =
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| manufacturer = Vanderbilt University
Parker Hannifin
| country = United States
| year_of_creation = 2010 (prototype)
| type = Powered exoskeleton
| purpose = Medical
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| website =
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The Vanderbilt exoskeleton, marketed as Indego,{{cite web|url=http://www.southcoasttoday.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130530/LIFE/305300331|title=Wearable robots getting lighter, more portable|work=South Coast Today|date=May 30, 2013|access-date=June 17, 2013}}{{cite web|url=http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20130121/FREE/130129977|title=Parker Hannifin names its new exoskeleton device Indego|publisher=Crain's Cleveland|date=January 21, 2013|access-date=October 1, 2013}} is a powered exoskeleton designed by the Center for Intelligent Mechatronics at Vanderbilt University in the U.S. state of Tennessee.{{cite web | url=http://www.medgadget.com/2012/10/inspired-by-segway-scooter-vanderbilt-exoskeleton-gets-paralyzed-on-their-legs.html | title=Inspired by Segway Scooter, Vanderbilt Exoskeleton Gets Paralyzed on Their Legs | publisher=Medgadget.com | work=Rehab | date=October 30, 2012 | access-date=December 12, 2012 | author=Gene Ostrovsky | quote=Medgadget is an independent journal of the latest medical gadgets, technologies and discoveries written, edited and published by a group of MDs and biomed engineers.}}{{cite web|url=http://research.vuse.vanderbilt.edu/cim/research_orthosis.html|title=Powered Exoskeleton|publisher=Vanderbilt University|access-date=November 29, 2012}} It is intended to assist paraplegics, stroke victims and other paralyzed or semi-paralyzed people to walk independently.{{cite web|url=http://news.vanderbilt.edu/2012/10/exoskeleton/|title=Advanced exoskeleton promises more independence for people with paraplegia|publisher=Vanderbilt University|date=October 30, 2012|access-date=November 29, 2012}} Motion and control technologies manufacturer Parker Hannifin is funding further development, and plans to release the first commercial version of the exoskeleton in 2015.{{cite web|url=http://www.parker.com/portal/site/PARKER/menuitem.31c35c58f54e63cb97b11b10237ad1ca/?vgnextoid=428cfd3fbfaaa310VgnVCM100000200c1dacRCRD&vgnextchannel=9104fbdc71fd7310VgnVCM100000200c1dacRCRD&vgnextfmt=default|title=Parker Signs Licensing Agreement with Vanderbilt for Exoskeleton Technology and Targets Commercial Launch in 2014|publisher=Parker Hannifin|date=October 30, 2012|access-date=November 29, 2012}}{{cite web|url=http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20140304/FREE/140309942/parker-hannifin-enters-clinical-trial-agreements-for-its-indego|title=Parker Hannifin enters clinical trial agreements for its Indego exoskeleton|publisher=Crain's Cleveland|date=March 4, 2014|access-date=October 21, 2014}}
Rationale
In 2012, there were estimated to be over 270,000 Americans with long-term spinal cord injuries, of whom around 21 percent suffer from complete paraplegia.{{cite web|url=https://www.nscisc.uab.edu/PublicDocuments/fact_figures_docs/Facts%202012%20Feb%20Final.pdf|title=Spinal Cord Injury Facts & Figures (PDF)|publisher=University of Alabama: National Spinal Cord Injury Statistical Center|date=February 2012|access-date=December 12, 2012}} The lifetime cost of care and lost productivity for each paraplegic ranges from US$1.4 million to $2.2 million. However, since the late 2000s, robotics and battery technology have become sufficiently advanced to make wearable walking assistance devices viable.{{cite web|url=http://www.sciencerecorder.com/news/nasas-strange-robotic-suit-could-pave-way-to-mars-make-astronauts-safe/|title=NASA's strange robotic suit could pave way to Mars, make astronauts safe|publisher=Science Recorder|date=December 11, 2012|access-date=December 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121213150942/http://www.sciencerecorder.com/news/nasas-strange-robotic-suit-could-pave-way-to-mars-make-astronauts-safe/|archive-date=December 13, 2012|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|url=http://news.discovery.com/tech/exoskeleton-robots-top-5.html|title=I am Iron Man: Top 5 Exoskeleton Robots|work=Discovery News |publisher=Discovery News|year=2012|access-date=December 12, 2012}}
Design
The Vanderbilt exoskeleton weighs {{convert|27|lb|kg}} and can support users weighing up to {{convert|200|lb|kg}}. It is strapped to the user's legs, and uses an onboard computer to detect the user's movements, which are then supported and amplified by battery-powered motors in the exoskeleton's hip and knee joints. It also uses functional electrical stimulation to enervate the muscles of paralyzed patients, improving their strength and circulation,{{cite web|url=http://www.gizmag.com/vanderbilt-exoskeleton/24815/|title=Vanderbilt University steps into the exoskeleton market|work=Gizmag|date=October 31, 2012|access-date=December 21, 2012}} and can be quickly disassembled for removal.{{cite web|url=http://www.fastcoexist.com/1680940/this-light-affordable-exoskeleton-could-help-the-paralyzed-walk-again#1|title=This Light, Affordable Exoskeleton Could Help The Paralyzed Walk Again|work=Co.Exist |publisher=Fast CoExist|date=November 28, 2012|access-date=November 29, 2012}} It can be used interchangeably with a wheelchair, and can be donned without assistance, allowing disabled individuals significantly greater independence. It is compact enough for a person to sit in a normal chair without needing to remove the exoskeleton.
Development
Vanderbilt University began testing its exoskeleton with paraplegics and medical experts at a rehabilitation center in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2010. In October 2012, Parker Hannifin signed an exclusive licensing agreement with Vanderbilt University for the right to develop and manufacture a commercial version of the exoskeleton, which it plans to release under the name Indego. Whereas current commercial exoskeletons can cost as much as $140,000, Parker Hannifin hopes to exploit its manufacturing capabilities and the Vanderbilt model's lightweight design to ensure that the Indego is significantly cheaper. In March 2014, Parker Hannifin entered into clinical trial agreements for the exoskeleton with several major medical rehabilitation centres. In December 2014, Parker Hannifin invested in Freedom Innovations, a California-based prosthetic technology company with which it had a pre-existing partnership, to further the development of Indego.{{cite web|url=http://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20141204/FREE/141209891/parker-hannifin-strengthens-indego-exoskeleton-development-efforts|title=Parker Hannifin strengthens Indego exoskeleton development efforts with investment in California company|publisher=Crain's Cleveland|date=December 4, 2014|access-date=January 23, 2015}} Following regulatory approval, Parker Hannifin plans to release Indego in Europe in 2015 and in the United States in 2016.
See also
{{Portal|Technology}}
References
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External links
- [http://research.vuse.vanderbilt.edu/cim/index.html Center for Intelligent Mechatronics]
- [http://www.parker.com/portal/site/Market-Tech/menuitem.e9f921bc8ae21676de92b210237ad1ca/?vgnextoid=1914d3ae3339a310VgnVCM100000200c1dacRCRD&vgnextfmt=default Indego Exoskeleton] via Parker Hannifin website
- [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jRAEfKb_rWQ 2012 YouTube video of the exoskeleton in action]