Throughout the Phase I effort, InnoVital Systems, Inc. will work in concert with NASA sponsors to ensure that the proposed exoskeleton glove technology can be seamlessly integrated with existing and future EVA systems. With the current EVA gloves, each astronaut has a custom-fit pair, so it is reasonable to assume that the accompanying exoskeleton device would also be custom-fit to each astronaut. To facilitate technology transfer, we will work in Phase I to address top-level hardware and software integration issues from a systems engineering perspective. Issues such as control electronics, software architectures, hardware interfaces, ruggedness, manufacturability, and reliability will be considered in the Phase I design concepts and implemented in Phase II of the program.
For non-NASA applications, InnoVital Systems will adapt and re-purpose the exoskeleton glove technology as an assistive orthotic device for the hand. This variant of the proposed technology can reach several markets including patients recovering from musculoskeletal injuries, those experiencing permanent loss of functional capabilities in the hand, and sufferers of stroke and other neuromuscular diseases. Given the scalability of pneumatic artificial muscles, successful transition of the technology to hand orthoses would also naturally lead to exploring applicability to other multiple degree of freedom joints. The device(s) can be manufactured and assembled in-house or licensed for manufacture to one or more prominent medical or orthotic device companies as an integrated hardware/software product.
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