Skip to main content

Table 2 Technical issues

From: Clinical utility of a pediatric hand exoskeleton: identifying users, practicability, and acceptance, and recommendations for design improvement

Issue ID

Component

Technical failure mode

Number of occurrences (Subject IDs)

Severity level*

1.1

Attachment system

Subject slips out of the PEXO

3 (1, 6, 11)

3

1.2

Attachment system

Fixation straps loosen

4 (1, 3, 6, 7)

2

2.1

Back module

Transmission cable reached end-stop

1 (8)

3

2.2

Back module

Transmission cable tore

1 (2)

4

2.3

Back module

Booting issues of microcontroller

3 (4, 7, 8)

4

2.4

Back module

Component at the output of the transmission system got loose

2 (5, 8)

1

2.5

Back module

Adjustment of PEXO settings required (reprogramming of microcontroller)

2 (6, 8)

3

2.6

Back module

Button control is not working (control via control unit required)

1 (5)

3

3.1

Hand module

Screw transmitting force to the little finger loosened, reducing movement of the little finger

1 (10)

2

3.2

Hand module

Thumb position of PEXO not fitting the subject (too proximal)

2 (6, 10)

2

3.3

Hand module

PEXO cover on back of the hand loosened

1 (10)

2

  1. *Severity levels: 1 Negligible issue not influencing performance or functionality, 2 Marginal issue allowing successful task completion, but (i) leading to a small delay (< 1 min) and/or (ii) requiring additional action/adjustment by the user, 3 Issue requiring allowing successful task completion, but (i) leading to a major delay (> 1 min) and/or (ii) requiring support from a caregiver, 4 Critical issue (i) requiring intervention by the study coordinator to avoid potential harm to the participants and/or (ii) preventing task completion due to total failure of the device requiring technical maintenance