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Design of a Glove Controlled by Electromyographic Signals for the Rehabilitation of Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract:

Among the various systemic disorders that hands can suffer, rheumatoid arthritis is one of the most common. This disease affects the synovial tissue of the joints, making extension and flexion movements difficult. Currently, there are drugs on the market to treat it, but they produce dangerous side effects affecting the quality of life of the patient. In this context, physical rehabilitation plays an important role as a complement to the work of conventional medications. The present work describes the hand rehabilitation device that can be used to improve the mobility of people with rheumatoid arthritis. This glove shaped device can move all five fingers, using the measurement of the action potential of other healthy muscles. The data collection is done through a muscle sensor which processes the signal and sends the order to the glove, allowing contraction or relaxation of the hand. The glove was designed in 3D using the Fusion 360 software. In this case, this device captures the movements of patterns generated in a muscle and reproduces them in the fingers of the hand to increase the level of movement and prevent muscle atrophy in patients with this disease.