Worldwide patent for a Spanish stroke rehabilitation robot

Robotherapist 3D, a robot which aids stroke patients’ recovery, is to be brought to market by its worldwide patent holder, a spin-off company from the Miguel Hernández University of Elche (Alicante, Spain). It is the first robot to enable patients to start doing exercises while supine, allowing them to begin shortly after the stroke and expediting recovery.

The company, a leader in this field in Spain, already has two robots: Robotherapist 2D and Robotherapist 3D. For the latter, it has a worldwide patent. Both are actuated by pneumatic technology and have been designed to improve arm movement in stroke patients.

According to the researcher, Robotherapist 2D is a planar robot which allows movement in two dimensions and includes sensors to determine the patient’s condition and a sound feedback system. “With this robot, certain tasks are carried out. The patient’s arm is moved parallel to the table: to the right, to the left and in a straight line. They are exercises to improve coordination,” he says.