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Classification and Systematics
Published in Jacques Derek Charlwood, The Ecology of Malaria Vectors, 2019
The ancestor of the Arthropoda was in all probability a segmented worm-like marine creature that lived in oceans during the late Precambrian era. By the early to mid-Cambrian (540–520 million years ago) the early arthropods had already evolved into a range of clearly recognisable groups with distinct body plans. Arthropods are characterised by a number of features: the possession of a periodically moulted, chitinous cuticle that acts as a rigid exoskeleton for the internal attachment of striated muscles; segmental paired legs; and the aggregation and/or fusing of body segments into discrete functional units, of which the most universal is the head. The exoskeleton is the key to their successes and limitations. It has several functions – to support the body, protect the animal from the external environment, reduce water loss, store energy and (through the development of limbs and wings) assist in locomotion.
Life Care Planning for Spinal Cord Injury
Published in Roger O. Weed, Debra E. Berens, Life Care Planning and Case Management Handbook, 2018
David J. Altman, Dan M. Bagwell
Powered robotic exoskeletons can provide thoracic-level spinal cord injured individuals the ability to walk. They do require the use of a gait aid, such as forearm crutches, for support during walking. Individuals with lower thoracic lesions have greater preservation of truncal musculature, which helps with proficiency and speed of gait with less dependence upon their arms. Continued technological improvements will likely improve gait speed over time such that powered exoskeletal walking can be more efficiently used in the community and various terrains. The current cost of these power robotic exoskeletons ranges from $70,000 to $85,000 for the device alone. It should be noted that extensive training on the use of these devices is also required.
Exoskeleton: The New Horizon of Robotic Assistance for Human Gait
Published in Stefano Federici, Marcia J. Scherer, Assistive Technology Assessment Handbook, 2017
Marco Bracalenti, Fabio Meloni, Stefano Federici
An exoskeleton is an active mechanical device that is anthropomorphic in nature, is “worn” by an operator, fits closely to his or her body, and works in concert with the wearer's movements. Generally, the term “exoskeleton” is used to describe a device augmenting the performance of an able-bodied wearer. In contrast, the term “active orthosis” is described as a device that is used to increase the ambulatory ability of a person with disability, for example, someone suffering from a leg pathology. Occasionally, however, the term “exoskeleton” is also used to describe certain assistive devices that enclose the majority of the lower limbs (Dollar and Herr, 2008).
Needs and wishes for the future lower limb exoskeleton: an interview study among people with spinal cord injury with community-based exoskeleton experience
Published in Disability and Rehabilitation, 2023
Rosanne B. van Dijsseldonk, Johanna E. Vriezekolk, Noël L. W. Keijsers, Alexander C. H. Geurts, Ilse J. W. van Nes
Spinal cord injury (SCI) is characterized by damage of the spinal cord that leads to (partial) loss of sensory, motor, and autonomic functions below the lesion [1]. A motor complete SCI is characterized by paralysis of the muscles below the lesion level and, thus, recovery of walking capacity is unlikely, resulting in a lifetime reliance on a wheelchair [2,3]. Further, people with SCI are also at risk for the occurrence of secondary health complications, such as bladder and bowel disorders, pressure ulcers, spasticity, and pain [4,5], which are associated with a lower quality of life [5]. Recently, wearable exoskeletons (such as the ReWalk™, Ekso™, and Indego® exoskeleton) have appeared on the consumer market [6,7]. In the clinical setting, wearable exoskeletons are mainly used for training purposes and to enhance health benefits in people with complete SCI. The health benefits include less spasticity [8,9], improved bowel function [10], and improved overall quality of life [8]. However, to preserve these health benefits, regular exoskeleton use is necessary. One approach to facilitate regular exoskeleton use is to ensure that wearable exoskeleton can be used at home and in the community.
Effect of a passive hip exoskeleton on walking distance in neurological patients
Published in Assistive Technology, 2022
F.A. Panizzolo, S. Cimino, E. Pettenello, A. Belfiore, N. Petrone, G. Marcolin
The employment of exoskeletons as rehabilitation devices is attracting the interest of physicians and therapists (Esquenazi et al., 2017; Federici et al., 2015). Thanks to growing popularity and technological advancements in the last decade (Sawicki et al., 2020), exoskeletons have been introduced in gait rehabilitation protocols showing promising effects in patients affected by MS (Afzal et al., 2020; Kozlowski et al., 2017; McGibbon et al., 2018) and stroke (Awad et al., 2017; Louie & Eng, 2016; Molteni et al., 2017). However, there are still several shortcomings limiting a wider adoption of these devices for rehabilitation purposes. These factors include cost (Chen et al., 2016; Gorgey, 2018), carriage weight (Chen et al., 2016; Young & Ferris, 2017), difficulty to wear and need of trained personnel to operate (Asbeck et al., 2014; Young & Ferris, 2017).
Caregivers’ use of robots and their effect on work environment – a scoping review
Published in Journal of Technology in Human Services, 2022
Marcus Persson, David Redmalm, Clara Iversen
Robots for entertainment are also often used to promote physical exercise (Huisman & Kort, 2019; Tuisku et al., 2019). For example, robots can demonstrate physical movements and dance performances to the patients, which they mimic (Wright, 2019). Another type of robot that can be used to promote exercise and rehabilitation training are exoskeletons. These are wearable mobile machines that are powered by a combination of technologies that allow for limb movement with increased strength and endurance. An exoskeleton may help with the rehabilitation from stroke, spinal cord injury or during aging. Such robots may be used by caregivers, or physiotherapists, as a tool for contributing to the rehabilitation training of patients by increasing their work capacity (Read, Woolsey, McGibbon, & O’Connell, 2020).