Desenvolvimento de um sistema de controle para a órtese funcional de mão da UFMG

Abstract

Hand orthosis is an external device applied or joined to the hand and to the wrist to improve its function controlling the movement, supplying the objects sustentation, correcting flexible deformities and hindering the progress of fixed deformities. This work aimed to develop the grip force control of a hand orthosis developed in the Bioengineering Laboratory (Labbio) of the Federal University of Minas Gerais. It was determined the force in the artificial tendon and the orthosis closing speed for sizing the engine-reduction set. The relation betwen the grip fingers force from the orthosis and the force in the artificial tendon was determined experimentally. An electronic circuit was created and uses the current analysis of DC motor to control the torque and, consequently, the traction force in the artificial tendon. Starting from the experimental results of pre-determined loads, it was possible to correlate the grip forcewith the artificial tendon force for different loads. The developed system was capable to control objects grip force, turning the orthosis safe.