Nov. 16 (Thursday) Hugh Herr (MIT Media Labs)
New Horizons for Orthotic & Prosthetic Technology: Merging Body and
Machine
Abstract:
Rehabilitation technology is at the threshold of a new age when orthotic and prosthetic devices will no longer be separate, lifeless mechanisms, but will instead be intimate extensions of the human body-- structurally, neurologically, and dynamically. Such a merging of body and machine will not only increase the acceptance of the physically challenged into society, but will also enable individuals suffering from limb dysfunction to more readily accept their new artificial appendages as part of their own body. Several scientific and technological advances will accelerate this mergence, including the development of actuator technologies that behave like muscle, control methodologies that exploit principles of biological movement, and device architectures that resemble the body's own skeletal design.
In this talk, I describe research activities in rehabilitation science and engineering currently under development at the Biomechatronics Group within MIT's Media Lab. I present several computer-controlled devices for leg rehabilitation, including an external knee prosthesis, a powered ankle-foot prosthesis, and a force-controllable ankle-foot orthosis. Patient-adaptive control schemes are discussed in which device impedance is automatically modulated to match patient-specific gait requirements. I discuss the clinical benefits of each assistive device, including improvements in walking economy, biological realism and gait symmetry. Finally, I outline critical areas of research that must be advanced to step towards the next generation of orthotic and prosthetic leg systems.