Development of A Biomechanical System For Rehabilitation Purposes of Bedridden Patients With Prolonged Immobility – Prototype and Preliminary Results

Citizens with physical limitations, particularly bedridden patients, cannot perform physical activity, which can translate into long periods of immobilization, with serious consequences for their health. This type of patient usually stays in bed for long periods, leading to getting several motor problems due to their immobility. Thus, it is important to develop biomechanical systems that can be used in the implementation of physical rehabilitation activities for this type of patient. This work presents a prototype designed as Ablefit, specifically developed for bedridden patients, aiming to contribute to the prevention of complications associated with their immobility for long periods. The developed equipment is based on structural support and positioning unit, an active/passive linear module and an active/passive rotary module, allowing them to perform different types of physical movements by the user. The work presented describes system requirements, and the concept of the developed prototype, with an emphasis in the mechanical system of the equipment and its interface with the user. The first tests carried out on the prototype of the system made it possible to identify the adjustments to be implemented and showed the possibility that it could represent an added value in physical motor rehabilitation procedures for bedridden patients.