Xinyang Tan

The project is to design a wearable device for children with Muscular Dystrophy (MD), mild level Cerebral Palsy (CP) or related Neromuscular diseases to encourage and support them to complete their movements, by providing automatic strength to muscles. It was common to see children with MD or Hemiplegia trying so hard to raise their hands in order to reach spoons to mouths. What if there is a device which can be attached on their body and offer them extra force to help them reach higher, move further and complete their movements?

The project applies a mini mechanical system to imitate flexion and extension of human muscles. It will be triggered by several sensors which detect the muscle signal. Generally, when the user is about to rising the arm, signal will increase in a specific muscle. Then the mechanical system will be activated to add extra strength on this muscle to cooperate release or contraction.