Description:

Abstract:

Wearable exoskeletal robotics and neuroprosthetics can play a role in rehabilitation and functional compensation in a number of neurological conditions, e.g. hemiplegia post stroke, paraplegia or quadriplegia post SCI, which lead to sever motor impairments. In addition to classical intensive training, these technologies can be used for assessment and to establish causality between motor intent and assistance. In this context, establishing a robust interface between the patient and the technology is key for the proposal of novel neurorehabilitation concepts such as group training, closed-loop neurorehabilitation and personalized intervention. In this seminar we will address how rehabilitation robotics and neuroprosthetics can be integrated in novel therapeutic intervention and will illustrate some of these new concepts in both upper extremity and lower extremity applications.

Speaker Info:

José L. Pons, PhD, received his MSc in Mechanical Engineering and PhD in Physics from the Polytechnic University of Madrid and Complutense University of Madrid, (1995 & 1997, respectively). He is currently the Scientific Chair of the Legs & Walking AbilityLab and Professor in the Department of PM & R, Feinberg School of medicine and in the Departments of Biomedical Engineering and Mechanical Engineering, McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University. His research has been focused on wearable robotics and neuroprosthetics as applied to patients with spinal cord injury, stroke and Parkinsonisms. His research addresses how neural interfacing at various levels can be applied in combination with robotics and neuroprosthetics to promote motor recovery, improved functional outcomes and neuroplasticy consistent with functional improvement. Key projects include the development of lower extremity exoskeletons and neuroprosthetics, advanced control systems for these technologies, interfacing to wearable robotics based on EEG, EMG and mechanical interaction and testing methods and benchmarking frameworks.