Variable Resistance Hand Device using an electro-rheological fluid damper

This paper presents the design, fabrication, control and testing of the third generation prototype of a novel, one degree of freedom (DOF) Variable Resistance Hand Device (VRHD) that was designed for isotonic, isokinetic, and variable resistance grasp and release exercises. Its principle functionality is derived from an electro-rheological fluid based controllable damper that allows continuously variable modulation of dynamic resistance throughout its stroke. The VRHD system consists of the patient actuated device, the control electronics and software, the practitioner graphical interface and the patient's virtual reality game software. VRHD was designed and experimentally shown to be fully Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) compatible so that it can be used in brain MR imaging during handgrip rehabilitation.

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