"high-tech on robotics hand"

is called FEX “Fingers Extending eXoskeleton” and is a latest generation of robotic exoskeleton for hand rehabilitation in patients recovering from neurological impairment.

The FEX (Fingers Extending eXoskeleton) robot is an exoskeleton glove developed and patented by TelerobotLABS di Genova (GE2014A000120).

The FEX robot aims to develop an innovative hand robotic exoskeleton for the functional recovery of hand movements and for the assistance in ADLs in neurological and orthopaedic patients.

FEX is an under-actuated, wearable mechanical structure directly connected to the hand, designed to assist extension movements of the fingers, which is the most relevant clinical need for stroke patients. The FEX exoskeleton is designed in such a way that its mobility matches the mobility of the hand with the possibility of a natural, bidirectional exchange of forces and reaction forces between FEX and the human hand.

To achieve this goal are follow two main design criteria that we believe are essential for the clinical success of the robotic system:
1) maximizing the freedom of the user by adopting lightweight, non-obstructive solutions;
2) optimizing the human-robot interface by adopting new solutions combining mechanical, electrical (physiological) and cognitive assistance.

To achieve a consistent motion within the workspace of the exoskeleton and the hand, the device was designed considering kinematics boundaries such as fingers mobility and degrees of freedom, keeping in mind the small space available to the mechanism.

The first prototype of FEX has being tested by the team of Dr. Patrizio Sale at IRCCS San Raffaele Pisana in Rome.

Its main innovation is in the specific spine like exoskeletal structure that, thanks to its multi link underactuated mechanical structure fulfil the following requirements:
• Adapt easily to any hand configuration including highly distorted shapes or hyper extended proximals (the so called en griffe configuration, tested in the preliminary FEX trials);
• Keep a stable position of the exoskeletal actuated structure over the finger ensuring even and progressive load from the tip to the palm without any load concentration;
• Keep the palm completely free limiting the dimension and weight on the external surface of the hand being compatible with any daily task;
• Ensure a correct freedom of motion of the fingers (adduction/abduction);
• The FEX robot is a fully wearable device leaving complete freedom to the patient that could perform any daily task with no limitation.

Patrizio Sale

Patrizio Sale received a B.S. degree in Medicine from the University of Rome Sapienza and Ph.D. degrees in Human Pathology from the University of Rome, Sapienza. He received a Specialization in Clinical Pathology from the University of Rome, Sapienza and Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine from the University of Rome, Tor Vergata.

The major research interests of Dr. Sale are the human interactions in the Robotics device and tele-rehabilitation system in clinical use. He is also very interested in technology transfer to industry for everything concerns rehabilitative robotics device.

During his research experience, Dr. Sale acquired expertise in field of neurorehabilitation particularly in the upper and lower limbs robotics and prosthetics, action observation treatment in Stroke and Parkinson, Virtual Reality and Telerehabilitation promoting studies on neurorehabilitation of Stroke, Parkinson disease, Multiple Sclerosis and in the last years his work has been focused on the role of innovative technologies, particularly Robotics and Telerehabilitation, to implement the recovery of neurological patients.

in collaboration with

telerobot labs designs, develops, manufactures, qualifies and delivers to operation high complexity instrumental goods in the field of robotics, mechatronics, special machines for service companies, product manufacturing companies, and research organizations.

A strong background of skills, experiences, knowledge, a wealth of human, technical and organizational resources and, above all, to have already faced – in over than twenty years of history – high complexity operations allows telerobot labs to give its Customers what they expect: competence, collaboration, concreteness, understanding of the need. In one word: solutions. Le nostre principali attività sono: robotica per oil & gas, per il nucleare, medicale e di servizio avanzata, macchine speciali per l’industria, ingegneria.

Our main activities: robotics for oil & gas applications, for nuclear applications, medical and advanced service, special machines for industry, engineering

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