FURI | Fall 2018

Soft Robotic Foot Orthosis

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For physical therapists working with patients with foot and ankle injuries, mechanical help is imperative in the rehabilitation process. Instead of using traditional metal components, researchers are engineering a device using light-weight, flexible “soft” robotics that a patient would wear over the foot that would aid in the walk cycle, hastening the rehabilitation process. Testing is underway for both maximum load of the device and its effect on the walk cycle. If successful, similar principles can be applied to devices for other parts of the body as well, aiding in rehabilitation for all manner of injuries.