One glance at the next-generation soft, lightweight exoskeleton for kids with cerebral palsy shows how powerful technology can be in addressing global issues and enhancing people’s lives.
Breakthrough in Mobility
MyoStep was created to assist kids with walking. It helps kids with motor impairments that significantly limit their ability to engage in physical activities, self-care. And intellectual pursuits, which can result in developmental delays, social isolation, and low self-esteem. It blends in perfectly with the lives of kids and their families. It is lightweight, discrete, and composed of wearable technology and smart materials.
A group from the NSF UH Building Reliable Advances and Innovation in Neurotechnology (BRAIN) Center, an Industry–University Cooperative Research Center (IUCRC), and TIRR Memorial Hermann presents the MyoStep soft exoskeleton in IEEE Electron Devices Magazine.
Cerebral palsy is a common neurological illness in children. That impairs motor skills, including walking ability, and affects 1 to 4 out of every 1,000 births globally.
Contreras-Vidal formed a cross-disciplinary team with clinical partner Gerard Francisco, MD, professor and The Wulfe Family Chair of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at UTHealth Houston. And medical officer at TIRR Memorial Hermann, to address the need for exoskeletons that promote healthy musculoskeletal development and can adjust as children grow.
The team designed the MyoStep to be lightweight, inconspicuous. And easy to integrate into the lives of children and their families. The wireless sensor network integrated into the smart and flexible textiles is the backbone of the suit, collecting and sending real-time data about the user’s movements so the device knows when to aid their arms or legs.
It also has safety features including temperature monitoring and emergency shutdown systems.
All electronics and actuators are completely insulated from the user’s skin to avoid direct contact. And minimize the possibility of irritation or discomfort. Integrated temperature sensors continuously monitor the device’s surface temperature. And deactivate the system if it exceeds safe limits to prevent overheating or burns.
The many sensors in the network connect with one another via Bluetooth technology.
Francisco said:
“What makes the MyoStep project so compelling is that it’s not just about the technology. It’s about restoring confidence, function, and hope. This kind of innovation has the potential to dramatically improve the quality of life, helping children move through the world with greater ease and dignity,”
Step By Step
Contreras-Vidal said:
“The team is currently focused on enhancing ankle movement control using artificial muscles made from advanced smart materials, such as shape memory alloys, which contract with temperature changes and dielectric elastomers which respond to voltage,”
These actuators work in conjunction with a multimodal sensor network, including EMG sensors to monitor muscle activations, and inertial measurement units to detect gait phases and joint angles.”
