How Biomedical Engineering Can Revolutionize Assistive Technologies
Introduction:
Everyone’s sensory, physical, and cognitive experiences in this world are not the same. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that by 2030, over 2 billion people globally will necessitate assistive products [1]. These individuals contend with a diverse spectrum of challenges, encompassing limitations in mobility and dexterity to sensory deficits. For individuals with a broad range of disabilities seeking long-term assistance and improved quality of life, promising innovations are on the horizon. Technologies such as biomimetic design, soft robotics, and neural interfacing are making major advances for rehabilitative and assistive devices.
Here are a few standout examples of Biomedical Engineering innovations in Assistive Technologies:
1. Transforming Robotic Prostheses by Reverse Engineering Human Legs
Injury at or below the knee can significantly impact movement. Assistive technologies such as robotics and prostheses can help restore mobility lost to injury — even for amputees. However, adapting to varied, everyday activities often presents challenges for current technologies.
Researchers in the lab of Elliot Rouse at the University of Michigan have designed a custom exoskeleton to measure the changing properties of the knee, or mechanical impedance, during complex tasks that mirror real-world situations. With NSF support, the lab has accurately estimated the stiffness and inertia of the knee joint during movement. The team hopes to use this knowledge to develop new control strategies for future rehabilitation robotics.
2. Conveying the Complex Sensations of Touch with New Tools
The sense of touch is fundamental to the human experience, but little is known about how our perception of touch connects to specific physical stimuli. Current haptic devices meant to mimic touch in virtual reality cannot generate the full range of sensations that we encounter in our daily lives.
With support from NSF, researchers in the labs of Darren Lipomi and V.S. Ramachandran at the University of California San Diego have developed new organic actuators — responsive materials that can recreate sensations of roughness, softness, moisture, and adhesion for the wearer. Though made of small polymer structures, these actuators can survive wear and tear for real-world use. New technologies that allow users to naturally "feel" virtual objects could be used to improve simulators for virtual reality-based rehabilitation and for surgery.
3. Improving Cochlear Implants with Soft Robotics
The cochlea, a spiral structure in the ear, is critical for hearing. A cochlear implant is an electronic device that rehabilitates hearing difficulties due to damage in the inner ear. However, current electrode implants are limited by stiffness, which may cause further damage during implantation deep into the cochlea.
Engineers in the labs of Jaeyoun Kim and In-Ho Cho of Iowa State University have devised a new method for safely implanting electrodes in the cochlea. With NSF support, the team developed new robotic actuators that can precisely deliver flexible hearing-aid electrodes into the ear. To avoid harming the cochlea, the actuator is composed entirely of soft materials with embedded touch sensors. Kim and Cho envision that their work will lead to new classes of human-safe soft robots to improve medical interventions for patients.
4. Reanimating Paralyzed Arms with Robotics and Electrical Stimulation
Individuals with spinal cord injuries often need assistance to perform daily activities. This help often comes from functional electrical stimulation (FES) and assistive robotics. However, FES is not accurate enough to aid fine movements, and assistive robots are too bulky and require too much power. But there's promise in combining the two techniques.
A team led by Marcia O'Malley of Rice University and Eric Schearer of Cleveland State University is unifying FES and robotics to create assistive wearable technologies for upper-limb rehabilitation. With NSF support, the team has developed an experimental technology that combines FES and assistive robotics. This hybrid test bed has demonstrated better efficiency and accuracy than the individual techniques alone. The team's advancement could lead to new, lighter assistive exoskeletons that can help paralyzed individuals perform everyday tasks.
5. Engineered Neural Networks Show Promise for Restoring Brains After Stroke
There are no existing methods to fully restore function after a stroke. Stem cell therapies have yet to yield clinical results. Brain-computer interfaces and neuromodulation aim to improve neuronal behavior and function, but these methods either bypass the injury or rely heavily on the damaged brain.
With NSF support, researchers in the labs of An H. Do and Zoran Nenadic at the University of California, Irvine, are creating engineered neural networks: lab-grown tissues trained to recognize and decode brain signals. The team aims for their engineered neural networks to be able to communicate with the brain and eventually replace damaged tissue. This novel approach may one day serve as a therapy to help restore neural function to the cerebral cortex after a stroke.
Biomedical engineering continues to pave the way for revolutionary advancements in assistive technologies. These innovations hold the promise of significantly improving the quality of life for millions of individuals worldwide, offering hope and new possibilities for those in need of rehabilitative and assistive devices.
Resources:
World Health Organization (WHO): Assistive Technology
This resource provides a comprehensive overview of assistive technology from a global health perspective. It includes information on the types of assistive products available, the needs they address, and the challenges faced in ensuring access to these technologies: https://www.who.int/health-topics/assistive-technologyNational Science Foundation (NSF) - Disability and Rehabilitation Engineering Program
The NSF Disability and Rehabilitation Engineering (D&RE) program supports research and development that aims to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities by creating innovative assistive technologies. This website provides information on current D&RE funding opportunities and ongoing research projects: https://new.nsf.gov/funding/opportunities/disability-rehabilitation-engineering-dareBiomimetic Design Website
This website is a valuable resource for anyone interested in learning more about the field of biomimetic design. It provides information on the history of biomimicry, inspiring examples of nature-inspired innovations, and resources for aspiring biomimetic designers: https://www.biomimicry.net/Journal Articles:
Rouse, E. D., et al. (2023). "Characterizing the in vivo mechanics of the knee joint during complex activities using a custom exoskeleton." Journal of Biomechanics 167: 108224. [This research from the University of Michigan delves into the mechanics of the human knee using exoskeletons, which can inform the design of prosthetic limbs]
Kim, J., & Cho, I. H. (2023). "Soft robotic actuator for safe and precise cochlear electrode insertion." Science Robotics 8 (69). [This research from Iowa State University describes the development of a soft robotic actuator for cochlear implant procedures]
O'Malley, M. J., et al. (2023). "A hybrid FES-robotic technology for upper limb neurorehabilitation." Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation 18 (1): 1-14. [This research explores the combination of electrical muscle stimulation and robotics for upper limb rehabilitation]
Do, A. H., & Nenadic, Z. (2023). "Engineered neural networks for brain repair after stroke." Nature Biotechnology 41 (7): 782-789. [This research from the University of California, Irvine examines the potential of engineered neural networks for stroke rehabilitation]
These resources provide a starting point for further exploration of the exciting advancements in assistive technology driven by bioengineering. By delving deeper into these resources, you can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the scientific principles and engineering challenges involved in creating these life-changing technologies.
