Design considerations for a wearable pediatric rehabilitative boot

Abstract

Two therapies for pediatric cerebral palsy patients with spastic diplegia of the legs are physical therapy to stretch the calf muscles and serial casting in combination with Botox injection. Furthermore, patients often wear ankle orthotics to assist in ambulation and therapy. With the advent of new materials and controls technology, a new wearable active orthotic boot design is proposed. Design considerations characterizing the needs of this pediatric device are summarized. System components including the actuators, sensors and controllers are presented and evaluated. A proposed boot design that is currently under construction is presented and implementation issues are discussed. The development of a novel wearable rehabilitative boot for pediatric patients with spastic diplegia is plausible and may lead to improved rehabilitative therapy.