Basic manual dexterity is essential for performing everyday activities independently. Various conditions and diseases can impair hand function and thus affect independence, including spinal cord injury. Technological aids can support users in improving hand function and thus increasing independence.

In recent years, a consortium in Twente has been working on the development of a hand exoskeleton called T-GRIP. To enable the user to grasp and release objects, the T-GRIP system moves the user's thumb using a small actuator attached to the hand. This grip, called the lateral grip, is the most valuable grip for most spinal cord injury patients to recover. A recent feasibility study among spinal cord injury patients showed that the current T-GRIP prototype scored highly on user-friendliness, acceptance and satisfaction.

The aim of the Thumbs up! project is to further develop and scale up the working prototype of the T-GRIP hand exoskeleton (TRL 6) to other target groups, turning it into an affordable and market-ready product with all the necessary documentation for MDR certification (TRL 8) and a suitable revenue model. Compared to existing systems, T-GRIP distinguishes itself after further development as an affordable, simple, lightweight, user-friendly, hygienic and customised hand exoskeleton, which aims to support the manipulation of objects while maintaining the sense of touch. To achieve this goal, end users (patients) and other stakeholders (including healthcare institutions, healthcare providers, patient organisations and suppliers) are closely involved throughout all phases of the project.

 

Tasks Roessingh

  • Gaining insight into the requirements of relevant end users
  • Exploratory study into the user-friendliness of T-GRIP and identification of relevant target groups for upscaling
  • Clinical evaluation of T-GRIP in the home environment
  • Determining the social return on investment (SROI) ratio for T-GRIP

 

Project duration

December 1, 2023 - November 30, 2026

 

Partners

  • Hankamp Rehab
  • University of Twente
  • Roessingh Center for Rehabilitation

 

Grantor

EFRO Oost, programma Oost Nederland 2021-2027

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efro oost