Table 4 Glossary of terms concerning actuation of robots for rehabilitation
From: A survey on robotic devices for upper limb rehabilitation
Term | Description |
|---|---|
Electric actuators | Actuators powered by electric current. They are the most common because they easily provide a relatively high power and are able to store energy. There is a wide selection of commercially available electric actuators; however, some of them are heavy and/or their impedance is too high for rehabilitation settings. |
Hydraulic actuators | Actuators powered by hydraulic pressure (usually oil). They are able to generate high forces. Their system is relatively complex considering the maintenance of pressurized oil under pressure to prevent leakage. Commercial hydraulic actuators are also heavy, therefore, only specially designed hydraulic actuators are used in rehabilitation robotics. |
Pneumatic actuators | Actuators powered by compressed air. They have lower impedance and weigh less than electric actuators. Special compressors or containers with compressed air are required for power. |
Pneumatic Artificial Muscle (PAM, McKibben type actuator) | A special type of pneumatic actuator with an internal bladder surrounded by a braided mesh shell with flexible, but non-extensible threads. Because of their specific design, an actuator under pressure shortens, similarly to the contracting muscle. It is relatively light and exerts force in a single direction. It is difficult to control because of its slow and non-linear dynamic functions. |
Series Elastic Actuator (SEA) | A generic name used for a mechanism with an elastic element placed in series with an actuator. This solution is relatively often met in the design of rehabilitation robots. It decreases the inertia and intrinsic impedance of the actuator to allow a more accurate and stable force control and increase patient safety. |
Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) | It is a technique that uses electrical current to activate nerves and contract their innervated muscles. It produces the movement of the limb using natural actuators of the body. However, it is difficult to achieve precise and repeatable movement using this technique and it may be painful for the patient. |