Segmented Bending Soft Actuator for Enhanced Finger Flexion in Rehabilitation Glove

Rehabilitation devices like assistive gloves require bending-type soft actuators for controlled, repetitive finger movements essential for therapy. However, non-segmented actuators often struggle to replicate natural finger articulation, which can cause discomfort and reduce patient compliance. This...

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Main Authors: Nurul Hidayah Rodzuan, Ili Najaa Aimi Mohd Nordin, Ahmad ‘Athif Mohd Faudzi, Noraishikin Zulkarnain, Muhammad Rusydi Muhammad Razif, Nik Normunira Mat Hassan, Muhamad Hazwan Abdul Hafidz
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Iran University of Science and Technology 2025-06-01
Series:Iranian Journal of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
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Online Access:http://ijeee.iust.ac.ir/article-1-3651-en.pdf
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author Nurul Hidayah Rodzuan
Ili Najaa Aimi Mohd Nordin
Ahmad ‘Athif Mohd Faudzi
Noraishikin Zulkarnain
Muhammad Rusydi Muhammad Razif
Nik Normunira Mat Hassan
Muhamad Hazwan Abdul Hafidz
author_facet Nurul Hidayah Rodzuan
Ili Najaa Aimi Mohd Nordin
Ahmad ‘Athif Mohd Faudzi
Noraishikin Zulkarnain
Muhammad Rusydi Muhammad Razif
Nik Normunira Mat Hassan
Muhamad Hazwan Abdul Hafidz
author_sort Nurul Hidayah Rodzuan
collection DOAJ
description Rehabilitation devices like assistive gloves require bending-type soft actuators for controlled, repetitive finger movements essential for therapy. However, non-segmented actuators often struggle to replicate natural finger articulation, which can cause discomfort and reduce patient compliance. This paper presents the design and assembly of a segmented bending pneumatic soft actuator to achieve index finger flexion, aiming to improve comfort and support natural finger movement at low pressure. The actuator is integrated into a glove with a flexible bend sensor to measure the flexion angle of the metacarpophalangeal joint. Ecoflex 0-50 A-B silicone rubber is used in the fabrication, with air bubbles removed to ensure consistent actuator performance. The study investigates the actuator's performance and the sensor's ability to accurately measure joint flexion. The results, presented through detailed graphs, analyze the actuator’s flexibility, bending, and elongation under different pressure scenarios, offering insights into its effectiveness in improving patient comfort, joint articulation, and rehabilitation outcomes.
format Article
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institution OA Journals
issn 1735-2827
2383-3890
language English
publishDate 2025-06-01
publisher Iran University of Science and Technology
record_format Article
series Iranian Journal of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
spelling doaj-art-d69ef89ec91a4745998eb435bf08a8702025-08-20T02:07:06ZengIran University of Science and TechnologyIranian Journal of Electrical and Electronic Engineering1735-28272383-38902025-06-0121236513651Segmented Bending Soft Actuator for Enhanced Finger Flexion in Rehabilitation GloveNurul Hidayah Rodzuan0Ili Najaa Aimi Mohd Nordin1Ahmad ‘Athif Mohd Faudzi2Noraishikin Zulkarnain3Muhammad Rusydi Muhammad Razif4Nik Normunira Mat Hassan5Muhamad Hazwan Abdul Hafidz6 Department of Electrical Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 84600 Pagoh, Johor, Malaysia Department of Electrical Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 84600 Pagoh, Johor, Malaysia Centre for Artificial Intelligence and Robotics, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 51400 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia Department of Electrical, Electronic and Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, 43600 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia Department of Electrical Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 84600 Pagoh, Johor, Malaysia Department of Mechanical Engineering Technology, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia, 84600 Pagoh, Johor, Malaysia A2Tech Sdn. Bhd., Level 2, Block B, V01, Faculty of Engineering, UTM, 81310 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia Rehabilitation devices like assistive gloves require bending-type soft actuators for controlled, repetitive finger movements essential for therapy. However, non-segmented actuators often struggle to replicate natural finger articulation, which can cause discomfort and reduce patient compliance. This paper presents the design and assembly of a segmented bending pneumatic soft actuator to achieve index finger flexion, aiming to improve comfort and support natural finger movement at low pressure. The actuator is integrated into a glove with a flexible bend sensor to measure the flexion angle of the metacarpophalangeal joint. Ecoflex 0-50 A-B silicone rubber is used in the fabrication, with air bubbles removed to ensure consistent actuator performance. The study investigates the actuator's performance and the sensor's ability to accurately measure joint flexion. The results, presented through detailed graphs, analyze the actuator’s flexibility, bending, and elongation under different pressure scenarios, offering insights into its effectiveness in improving patient comfort, joint articulation, and rehabilitation outcomes.http://ijeee.iust.ac.ir/article-1-3651-en.pdfassistive glovefinger flexionflexible bend sensorsegmented bending actuator
spellingShingle Nurul Hidayah Rodzuan
Ili Najaa Aimi Mohd Nordin
Ahmad ‘Athif Mohd Faudzi
Noraishikin Zulkarnain
Muhammad Rusydi Muhammad Razif
Nik Normunira Mat Hassan
Muhamad Hazwan Abdul Hafidz
Segmented Bending Soft Actuator for Enhanced Finger Flexion in Rehabilitation Glove
Iranian Journal of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
assistive glove
finger flexion
flexible bend sensor
segmented bending actuator
title Segmented Bending Soft Actuator for Enhanced Finger Flexion in Rehabilitation Glove
title_full Segmented Bending Soft Actuator for Enhanced Finger Flexion in Rehabilitation Glove
title_fullStr Segmented Bending Soft Actuator for Enhanced Finger Flexion in Rehabilitation Glove
title_full_unstemmed Segmented Bending Soft Actuator for Enhanced Finger Flexion in Rehabilitation Glove
title_short Segmented Bending Soft Actuator for Enhanced Finger Flexion in Rehabilitation Glove
title_sort segmented bending soft actuator for enhanced finger flexion in rehabilitation glove
topic assistive glove
finger flexion
flexible bend sensor
segmented bending actuator
url http://ijeee.iust.ac.ir/article-1-3651-en.pdf
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