Title:  Development And Evaluation Of Tongue Operated Robotic Rehabilitation Paradigm For Stroke Survivors With Upper Limb Paralysis

Committee:

Dr. Boris Prilutsky, Biosciences, Chair , Advisor

Dr. Minoru Shinohara, Biosciences

Dr. Patricio Vela, ECE

Dr. Justin Romberg, ECE

Dr. Andrew Butler, U of Alabama Birmingham

Abstract: Stroke is a devastating condition that may cause upper limb paralysis. Robotic rehabilitation with self-initiated and assisted movements is a promising technology that could help restore upper limb function. The objective of this research is to develop and evaluate a tongue-operated exoskeleton that will harness the intention of stroke survivors with upper limb paralysis via tongue motion to control robotic exoskeleton during rehabilitation to achieve functional restoration and improve quality of life. Specifically, a tongue operated assistive technology called the Tongue Drive System is used to harness the tongue gesture to generate commands. And, the generated command is used to control rehabilitation robot such as wrist-based exoskeleton Hand Mentor ProTM (HM) and upper limb-based exoskeleton KINARM.