Wrist and Finger Torque Sensor for the quantification of upper limb motor impairments following brain injury.

This paper details the design of the Wrist and Finger Torque Sensing module (WFTS): a lightweight, portable device that measures isometric wrist and finger flexion and extension joint torques. The WFTS can be used in combination with rehabilitation robots such as the ACT-3D, with isometric measurement stations, or as a stand-alone device. Because many robotic devices are limited in that they involve the hand in isolation, the WFTS is designed to investigate abnormal joint torque coupling at the paretic wrist and fingers in individuals with adult-onset stroke or childhood hemiplegia during 3D arm movements or isometric generation of shoulder and elbow torques. In short, the versatility of the WFTS allows for a variety of applications.