Design and development of the first exoskeletal garment to enhance arm mobility for children with movement impairments

Abstract

Children with a variety of diagnoses have impairments that limit their arm function. Despite the fact that arm function is important for early learning and activities of daily living, there are few tools to assist movement for these children, and existing devices have challenges related to cost, accessibility, comfort, and aesthetics. In this article, we describe the design process and development of the first garment-based exoskeleton to assist arm movement in young children with movement impairments: the Playskin Lift. We outline our design process, which contrasts with the traditional medical model in that it is interdisciplinary, user-centered, and addresses the broad needs of users, rather than device function alone. Then we report the results of field-testing with the initial prototype with respect to our design metrics on a toddler with significant bilateral arm movement impairments. Finally, we summarize our ongoing development aimed at increasing comfort, aesthetics, and accessibility of the garment. The interdisciplinary, user-centered approach to assistive technology design presented here can result in innovative and impactful design solutions that translate to the real world.

FEA Consumer Needs Model: 25 Years Later

“…An and Lee (2015) developed the FEA Emotional Needs Model based on their study of Asian women’s clothing requirements. Other studies added regulatory (Chae & Schofield-Tomschin, 2010), structural garment components (Ghalachyan & MacGillivray, 2016), and adaptability (Hall & Lobo, 2017) to the FEA criteria. An alteration to the AD Framework stages was suggested by Sparks and Oliver (1996), who recommend an additional final evaluation step to better fit the wearable art design process.…”

“…We believe the alterations that added a component to the FEA Model are all concepts that could be understood as components already existing within the FEA Model. Regulatory (Chae & Schofield-Tomschin, 2010), adaptability (Hall & Lobo, 2017), structural (Ghalachyan & MacGillivray, 2016), and safety (Stokes & Black, 2012), each could be understood within the consumer’s cultural context of the original FEA Model. Emotional (An & Lee, 2015) is a concept that could fit within the expressive criteria of the FEA Model.…”

Current Trends and Challenges in Pediatric Access to Sensorless and Sensor-Based Upper Limb Exoskeletons

“…Playskin Lift [56] is an exoskeletal garment that helps children to lift their arms against gravity. This passive exoskeleton consists of a long-sleeved garment equipped with casings under each arm, which house wire bundles.…”

An artificial skeletal muscle for use in pediatric rehabilitation robotics

“…Although there is a significant need for at home rehabilitation robots, only a few rigid upper extremity exoskeletons have been tested to support ADLs, perhaps due to complexity and economic restrictions 24,36 . Moreover, these robots can be physically uncomfortable due to their rigid structure dictated by their actuation technique 37 .…”