Passive-type rehabilitation system for upper limbs which can display the exact resistance force in the orientation opposite to hand motion.

In these days, there are many patients with ataxia, which is paralysis caused by a brain stroke or asynergia. Early detection of functional deterioration and sufficient rehabilitative training are necessary for these patients. Rehabilitation support systems for upper limbs using force display devices are expected to quantify the effects of rehabilitative training and enhance the motivation of patients.

Passive-type rehabilitation systems for upper limbs with MR fluid brake and its training software.

It is important to construct rehabilitation system for elderly people, people who have suffered strokes, and so on. In recent years, the need for rehabilitation support systems is increasing that using force display devices. When using force display systems, it is most important to ensure safety mechanically in order to prevent operators from hurting.

Measurement of reaching movement with 6-DOF upper rehabilitation system 'Robotherapist'.

In recent years, the needs for rehabilitation support systems are increasing, which use robot technology and virtual reality technology. Applying these technologies make efficient rehabilitation possible. We have developed 6-degrees-of-freedom (DOF) upper rehabilitation support system to evaluate synergy pattern of stroke survivors and to train stroke survivors, named 'Robotherapist'.

Development of CMTD (Curved Multi-Tubed Device) -system III and its application to the needle-insertion for liver.

The purpose of this study is to realize the mechanically-controllable needle-insertion system using the CMTD (Curved Multi-Tube Device) which was developed by Furusho Laboratory. A CMTD, was developed for minimally-invasive surgery and needle insertion. And we use ultrasonograph as a sensing device to detect the position of bible duct or tumor and the orientation and position of the needle which is inserted into liver.

'Hybrid-PLEMO', rehabilitation system for upper limbs with active / passive force feedback mode.

Several rehabilitation robots for upper limbs have been proposed so far, and clinical effectiveness was reported in several studies for the aged people or patients with stroke. However most of them have only 2-DOF for its active motion. It is important for designing a rehabilitation system which trains in the 3-DOF space because the upper limbs of humans works in 3-DOF space even expect for the wrist.

Curved multi-tube device for path-error correction in a needle-insertion system.

Background: Needle insertion is an important procedure for the diagnosis and treatment of various diseases. A prototype curved multi-tube device (CMTD) and system for performing computerized correction of path errors during needle insertion is described.

Methods: The CMTD provides two functional modes, the straight-needle mode and the curved-needle mode.