Speaker: Dr. Grigore Burdea

Institution of the Authors: Rutgers University

Schedule: Tuesday, May 29th, 2007 - 10:30AM to 12:10PM

Abstract: Robotics and Virtual Reality are revolutionizing the way physical therapy is done due to numerous advantages: a) ability to extend the training period without tiring the therapist; b) better data collection; c) objective measures of patient performance; d) making rehabilitation fun! Rutgers University has been at the forefront of new technology development in this area, rather than using commercial robots intended for other applications. We will present our inventions: The Rutgers Master glove, The Rutgers Ankle and The Rutgers Arm, together with the virtual reality exercises they use. Each system was tested on patients who suffered either from sports accidents or from paralysis following a stroke. We have also loaned our robots to Harvard University Medical School. We present data on the patients’ improvement even when Medicine said “nothing could be done!”