Roessingh Research and Development (RRD) is the largest Dutch scientific research centre in rehabilitation technology, and is an independent research & development organization linked to the Roessingh rehabilitation centre in Enschede. Its mission is to generate innovations in rehabilitation care through top class academic research. The RRD is internationally recognized as a centre of excellence in the fields of restoration of human function, non-invasive neuromuscular assessment and pain rehabilitation.
RRD contributes clinical knowledge and knowledge concerning neurophysiological parameters (like electromyography) and motor learning. Furthermore, the RRD has extensive experience in the field of applied research (clinical trails) with regard to technological innovations (e.g. virtual reality, electrostimulation, monitoring, sensing and robotics) in the field of rehabilitation. Within the MyoPro project, RRD focuses on the sensing part of the project. In addition, they are involved in technical and user specifications and in the clinical evaluation of both the prosthetic hand and the virtual reality training environment.
The University of Twente (UT) is an entrepreneurial research university. It was founded in 1961 and offers education and research in areas ranging from public policy studies and applied physics to biomedical technology.
Control
Engineering
The chair of Control Engineering (CE) is a research group that forms part of
the faculty Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science of the
University of Twente. The group performs multidisciplinary research in the
field of robotics and mechatronics, in which medical and revalidation robotics
is an important aspect with close connections to different medical institutes
and related academic departments.
CE has expertise on mechatronics and multidisciplinary design, control engineering, sensor feedback, robotic gripping, and hand/finger manipulation. Currently, they are working on a robotic hand test platform, which will serve as an innovative basic concept and study material for the new prosthetic hand. Within MyoPro project, CE is responsible for the control part of the myoelectric prosthesis. Furthermore, the CE group is involved in performing system integration and technical evaluation.
Biomedical Signals and Systems
The central research theme of the Biomedical Signals and Systems group is
neural engineering. More specifically, the research concerns interfacing with
the neural system and influencing body functions using this interface. The
department forms part of the Institute of Biomedical Technology and the faculty
Electrical Engineering, Mathematics and Computer Science of the University of
Twente.
BSS has expertise on multi-modal skin stimulation, analysis of electrophysiological signals and sensing of ambulant movement. Furthermore, the BSS group has extensive experience in the field of artificial human motor control with functional electrostimulation of paralyzed muscles and with leg prostheses. Their focus within the MyoPro project is on developing and evaluating the feedback part of the project. BSS is also involved in investigating technical and user specifications and performing system integration and technical evaluation.
Re-lionRe-lion BV is located in Enschede and focuses on the development, maintenance and support of virtual reality training systems for the defence and healthcare industries. Their roots can be found at the University of Twente, department of Human-Machine Interaction.
Re-lion BV has expertise on virtual reality tools and middleware applications concerning training and stimulation (T&S) within the healthcare sector. Their focus within the MyoPro project is on developing and evaluating a virtual reality simulation environment, in which patients can train with the prosthetic system and the sensing and control module can be tested.
Integrated Mechanization Solutions (IMS) provides manufacturing solutions for costumers in high precision, electronics and medical industry. They are engaged in product and process development in the field of micro assembly and micro system technology.
IMS has expertise on designing, developing and producing micro-needle arrays, performing industrial projects, and realizing test set-ups conform CE rules. Within the MyoPro project, IMS focuses on system integration in the form of developing of a test set-up, in which all project parts can be technically evaluated. In addition, they will develop the micro-needle electrode array.
Twente Medical Systems International BV (TMSI) is specialized in developing very precise multi-channel amplifiers, data acquisition and signal processing solutions, especially for high demanding electrofysiological applications. They use amplifier technology that is in particular suitable for measuring in difficult circumstances, e.g. when many noise sources are around or when many movement artifacts or high electrode impedances are present.
Within the MyoPro project, TMSI is involved in implementation of the classifying algorithm and in performing system integration and technical evaluation.
Revalidation centre Groot Klimmendaal and the SizaDorp Groep, a big healthcare institute for homing and guidance of people with a physical or mental disability, have formed a centre for application, demonstration and research of new healthcare technologies, called the Technology Trial Centre (TTC). Main focus of the centre is demonstrating and testing modern technology in behalf of the rehabilitation and living care combinations.
TTC contributes to the user specifications and to the clinical evaluation of the myoelectric prosthesis and the virtual reality training environment.