Abstract:
Stroke is a major cause of disability worldwide, often leading to weak and stiff muscles in the hand. This thesis focuses on designing and developing a mechanical device to help stroke patients rehabilitate their fingers. The device allows patients to perform controlled and repetitive finger movements, which are important for regaining strength, flexibility, and coordination. The exoskeleton is designed to be easy to use, so patients can do their exercises on their own. It uses mechanical parts that move like the human hand to ensure comfort and effectiveness. The design process included a detailed study of the hand's structure, choosing the right materials, and developing a strong mechanical system to allow proper movement of each finger joint. Computer modeling and simulation, including topology optimization to reduce the wight of the material, were used to improve the exoskeleton's performance, ensuring it is reliable and safe. Topology optimization helped in refining the design to achieve the best possible performance with the least amount of material, ensuring a lightweight and efficient device. The results show that the design has the potential to significantly help stroke patients in their rehabilitation process. This research contributes to the field of rehabilitation engineering by proposing a new design to help improve the quality of life for individuals suffering from post-stroke disabilities. Future work will focus on refining the design and testing it in clinical trials to confirm its effectiveness.
Keywords: stroke rehabilitation, finger exoskeleton, topology optimization, physiotherapy, hand function recovery.