T-CHAIR: new rehab device to stabilise the trunk while sitting

The T-CHAIR is a robotic rehab device for stroke patients to regenerate the trunk musculature and improve balance while sitting. The indispensable kinetic analysis of the 3D movement of the trunk was performed in cooperation with the Institute of Physiotherapy in their movement analysis laboratory. The chair (T-CHAIR) is being developed by IMES Institute of Mechanical Systems and tested in a user-study with the rehabilitation clinic in Valens.
A European follow-up project with partners from Belgium started in December 2017, financed under the EU “Eurostars” programme. Through this, the technology will be further developed and brought to market maturity.

Until now, robotic rehabilitation after stroke has been used primarily for the upper and lower extremities. There are only a few aids for the regeneration of the trunk and back musculature.
To develop a therapy device to activate and regenerate the trunk musculature while in a sitting position.

A natural 3D kinetics of the sitting position, allowing a physiological movement to mobilise the pelvis and spinal cord, was developed in a movement laboratory analysis. These kinematics are now integrated into the therapy chair.

Together with the rehabilitation clinic in Valens, a user-study using the first prototype will be carried out.

• Clinics Valens & Walenstadtberg
• rotavis AG

• Project leadership
  Prof. Dr. Daniel Baumgartner, Prof. Dr. Jürg Meier
• Project duration
  2015 - 2018
• Project Team ZHAW School of Health Sciences
  Ass. Prof. Dr. Christoph Bauer, Prof. Dr. Irina Nast, Mandy Scheermesser
• Projektteam ZHAW School of Engineering
  Dominik Textor, Jonas Fabech, Michaela Wenger
• Funding
  Commission for Technology and Innovation (KTI)
• Partner
  Kliniken Valens & Walenstadtberg
  rotavis AG
• Project Status
  Completed