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This paper presents the design, control, and validation of a soft robotic exoskeleton system, the REHAB Glove, for hand rehabilitation. The system is comprised of five hybrid soft-and-rigid robotic digits that apply controlled flexion and extension motion to fingers. The previous actuator design of the soft robotic digit was improved for kinematic compatibility with anatomical motions of the hand in relation to range of motion, center of rotation, and dorsal skin lengthening. The design was validated using motion capture and analysis. A position control algorithm, which controls finger angular trajectories (angular position and velocity), was developed based on motion sensor feedback. The operation of this algorithm was verified using a 90° digit tip trajectory with two angular velocities of 15°/sec and 30°/sec. A pilot study was carried out with five healthy individuals to evaluate the performance of the REHAB Glove in providing therapeutic schemes. The results show that the REHAB Glove is able to provide controlled motion compatible with the kinematics and dynamics of the human.

Robotic skins with multi-modal sensors are necessary to facilitate better human-robotic interaction in non-structured environments. Integration of various sensors, especially onto substrates with non-uniform topographies, is challenging using standard semiconductor fabrication techniques. Printing is seen as a technology with great promise that can be used for sensor fabrication and integration as it may allow direct printing of different sensors onto the same substrate regardless of topology. In this work, we investigate Electro-Hydro-Dynamic (EHD) printing, a method that allows printing of micron-sized features with a wide range of materials, for fabricating pressure sensor arrays using Poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene):Polystyrene Sulfonate (PEDOT:PSS). Fabrication of such sensors has been achieved by prepatterning gold or platinum metallized interdigitated comb electrode arrays on a polyimide substrate, with three custom made PEDOT:PSS based inks printed directly onto the electrode arrays. These three inks include a formulation of PEDOT:PSS and NMP; PEDOT:PSS, PVP, and NMP; and PEDOT:PSS, PVP, Nafion, and NMP. All these inks were successfully printed onto sensor elements. The initial results of bending-induced strain tests on the fabricated sensors display that all the inks are sensitive to strain. This confirms their suitability for pressure and strain sensor applications; however, the behavior of each ink; including sensitivity, linearity, and stability; is unique to the type.

Bioelectronic medicine is an emerging field that relies on electrical signals to modulate complex neuronal circuits, particularly in the peripheral nervous system, as an alternative to drug-enabled therapeutics. Small autonomic nerves are one of the targets in this field, however, interfacing peripheral nerves smaller than 300 μm remains a challenge. Here we report the development of a Microchannel Electrode Array (DCEA) capable of interfacing nerve fascicles as small as 50-300μm. The current μCEA records and stimulates from 28 channels and is designed for easy implantation and removal, bearing promise to enable neural interfacing in BM.