Single Joint Orthosis With a Compact Magnetorheological Damper Module for Resistance Training

We develop and investigate a wearable semi-active resistance exercise device intended for telerehabilitation. The developed device utilizes a magnetorheological (MR) damper to provide adjustable levels of resistance during extension and flexion exercises of the lower leg, which is intended for individuals affected by muscle weakness and musculoskeletal disorders. The developed device is compact, modular, and can be mounted to existing commercial orthoses without modifications. This allows for resistance to be easily installed and configured on single-joint orthotic devices. This paper presents the design of the device, the configurable resistance from the MR module, and preliminary testing of the device on one non-impaired individual.