The **Balonikotron** is a novel, soft-actuated device designed to support rehabilitation for post-stroke patients by facilitating wrist-extension exercises. Its operation is based on a unique mechanism that uses an inflatable membrane (a balloon) to safely and controllably move the hand.
Key Features:
- Safe, Soft Actuation: The device utilizes a soft, balloon-based actuator, providing inherent compliance. A key innovation is a model-based safety system that estimates the force applied to the hand in real-time using sensor data. Experimental validation showed a high correlation ($r=0.936$) between the model's predictions and measured forces, enabling a feature that automatically stops inflation if force thresholds are exceeded, thus preventing injury.
- Interactive, Motivating Therapy: The device is integrated with a tablet application where a cat avatar provides audiovisual guidance for exercises. It employs a mirror-therapy-inspired "leader-follower" mode, where the patient's healthy hand, using a separate sensor, guides the movement of the affected hand. This interactive approach is designed to increase patient motivation and engagement.
- Hygienic and Adaptable Design: The device features a low-cost, disposable cardboard housing designed for single-patient use, minimizing infection risk in clinical settings. At the end of a therapy cycle, the cardboard components are discarded while the internal electronics are reused. Personalization is achieved by calibrating the device to each patient's specific range of motion at the start of a session.
- Clinically-Tested Efficacy: A pilot clinical study with 12 post-stroke patients demonstrated the device's potential. After a four-week program, the experimental group using the Balonikotron showed statistically significant improvements in upper-limb motor function (Fugl-Meyer Assessment, $p=0.045$) and functional independence in daily activities (Barthel Index, $p=0.009$). While upward trends were observed in cognitive scores, these did not reach statistical significance.
The Balonikotron is a Polish invention protected by patent (PL 243910 B1). It serves as a valuable adjunct to conventional neurological rehabilitation, offering a modern, safe, and motivating tool to support recovery.
Videos