Upper Limbs Orthosis for Disability Support: The Areas of Project Development Between Technology and Design

Abstract

The ISO 9999: 2016 standard synthetically defines the two different types of artificial support necessary to support or replace the functions of a part of the body, they are indicated as devices applied to the body to support neuromusculoskeletal or movement related functions: the orthosis. They are also referred to as devices applied to the body to replace anatomical structures: prosthesis. The scientific scenario in this field is extremely articulated and invests across many sectors and skills, where the relationship and collaboration systems are substantial for the complexity of the objectives to be achieved. The aid entrusted to a technologically sophisticated system, which represents a substantial functional appendix of the body, implies, for the development of innovation, not only a profound knowledge of the medical, engineering and computer aspects, but also ergonomic, formal, communicative and aesthetic. The project, or the projects that are intended to be presented in the present research work, underline, with the presentation of two case studies, the levels of in-depth analysis of the issues related to the role of design and information technology and robotics. In the following sections two cases of research projects carried out in parallel are proposed. The first “Talking Hands”, purely technical and technological, is a completely wearable device for sign language translation. The second “D’Aria” is a glove is aimed at people with rheumatoid arthritis both for the initial stages of the disease (prevention of more serious damage) and for the more advanced phases (a real aid that restores lost grip capacity). Finally, as a research perspective, this article proposes the hybridization of the two case studies. The final objective will therefore be to create an experimental prototype that hybridizes the two characteristics, creating a series of tests on patients affected by these diseases.