Technology Generator

De La Salle University – Institute of Biomedical Engineering & Health Technologies (DLSU-IBEHT)
DLSU-IBEHT Director: Nilo T. Bugtai, PhD
AGAPAY Project leader: Renann G. Baldovino, PhD

The Problem

With stroke as the second most common cause of death and disability in the Philippines, its impact is still a major burden not only in the physical, psychological and financial well-being of stroke patients but also to the health care system, economy and society. Conventionally, stroke patients are rehabilitated through traditional rehabilitation therapy with the aid of physiotherapists and rehabilitation specialists, in which services are currently limited in the country.

Moreover, there are no commercially available robotic exoskeletons manufactured locally.

The Solution

AGAPAY is a 12-degree-of-freedom (DoF) wearable robotic exoskeleton that addresses the need for a motor rehabilitation and physical therapy device specific to post-stroke and injured patients. The device is designed to be user-friendly, safe to use, comfortable and cost-effective, which are among its key features.

AGAPAY also includes the 3-DoF mobility of the shoulder (abduction-adduction, flexion-extension, lateral-medial rotation), 2-DoF of the elbow (flexion-extension, pronation-supination) and 2-DoF of the wrist (pitch, yaw) and 5-DoF of the five fingers for flexion-extension. Through the power transmission of its actuators, this robotic exoskeleton shall aid the patient’s upper limbs to perform his/her range of motion, eventually regaining motor control. An active biofeedback control system and guided user-interface were also added to aid in the promotion of neuroplasticity.

At the end of the R&D phase, this device will provide an alternative option to traditional rehabilitation therapy that could also set the standard for robotic rehabilitation technologies in the Philippines.

Product Development Stage

The product is currently at Technology Readiness Level (TRL) 4. It is currently in its initial clinical trial phase wherein protocols for the developed upper limb robotic exoskeleton safety and human pilot testing will be developed and established. They finished the industrial design and won 2nd place for Best Thesis at Benilde, in partnership with the Benilde Industrial Design Department. The research team is also looking for potential industry partners to manufacture the device.

Project Team

The AGAPAY Project is an interdisciplinary effort, through the Institute of Biomedical Engineering and Health Technologies (IBEHT), which involves researchers from the Manufacturing Engineering and Management (MEM), the Electronics and Communications Engineering (ECE) and the Physics Departments of the De La Salle University (DLSU). Furthermore, the Team AGAPAY research also includes medical doctors from the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine from the University of the Philippines Manila (UPM) – Philippine General Hospital (PGH).

CONTACT PERSON

Dr. Renann G. Baldovino
AGAPAY Project Leader
De La Salle University – Institute of Biomedical Engineering & Health Technologies (DLSU-IBEHT)
Email: renann.baldovino@dlsu.edu.ph

Dr. Nilo T. Bugtai, Director
De La Salle University – Institute of Biomedical Engineering & Health Technologies (DLSU-IBEHT)
Phone No: (632) 524-4611 Local 239 | 244
FAX No: (632) 524-0563
Email: nilo.bugtai@dlsu.edu.ph | n.bugtai@yahoo.com