Design considerations in manufacturing cost-effective robotic exoskeletons for upper extremity rehabilitation

The development of robotic exoskeletons is a young and active area of research in multidisciplinary fields such as biomedical engineering. In upper extremity rehabilitation, several developments have been made for robotic exoskeletons to help regain motor function by means of repetitive and task-oriented exercises. However, the economics and availability of such devices remain an issue to be addressed especially for those in the developing regions where access to healthcare options are limited. This article presents an analysis of design criteria and considerations in manufacturing cost-effective robotic exoskeletons for upper extremity rehabilitation. A review of recently developed concepts, prototypes and commercially-available devices was performed to establish a set of guidelines in developing products with high feasibility for adoption. Most of the design criteria discussed in this article focused on wearability, safety, and performance. Finally, a discussion of the trend towards low-cost manufacturing was done to challenge researchers in addressing the need for a reliable and accessible healthcare system for upper extremity rehabilitation.