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IIT Madras and CMC Vellore develop cost-effective robot for hand rehabilitation

Designed for rehabilitation centres, clinics, hospitals, and home use, PLUTO addresses the demand for affordable and adaptable rehabilitation solutions

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The Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and Christian Medical College, Vellore (CMC Vellore), have developed a cost-effective and portable robot for hand rehabilitation, named PLUTO (Plug and Train Robot). The device was licensed through the Technology Transfer Office (TTO) of IIT Madras and commercialised by Thryv Rehab Solutions to address a significant gap in rehabilitation accessibility.

PLUTO uses patented technology to offer precise therapeutic movements and real-time feedback, making it suitable for patients with conditions such as stroke, spinal cord injuries, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, and post-hand surgery recovery. Designed for rehabilitation centres, clinics, hospitals, and home use, the robot addresses the demand for affordable and adaptable rehabilitation solutions.

PLUTO has been tested in Indian homes, making it the first indigenous rehabilitation robot to do so. More than 1,000 patients have used the device over the past four years. Prof. Sivakumar Balasubramanian of CMC Vellore noted, “PLUTO has been set up for routine clinical use across 11 different clinics in India. At least 15 patients per week use PLUTO for routine hand therapy at CMC Vellore.”

Prof. Sujatha Srinivasan, Principal Investigator from the Department of Mechanical Engineering at IIT Madras, highlighted the importance of affordable solutions: “PLUTO revolutionises hand rehabilitation by providing an affordable and accessible solution for patients with post-stroke conditions. Its portability enables timely and consistent therapy at home or bedside, improving recovery outcomes and reducing dependency on caregivers.”

The modular design of PLUTO uses recyclable materials and a single actuator paired with interchangeable mechanical handles. It facilitates therapy for wrist and hand movements such as wrist flexion/extension, forearm pronation/supination, and hand opening-closing. The gearless DC motor and plug-and-train mechanism allow seamless operation, supporting diverse therapy tools.

Discussing the innovation, Dr. Aravind Nehrujee, who developed PLUTO during his joint PhD with IIT Madras and CMC Vellore, explained, “Conventional rehabilitation robots for hand therapy are either complex and expensive systems or simple, singular-function devices requiring multiple units. These systems lack portability and adaptability, making them unsuitable for bedside, wheelchair-based, and home-based use. PLUTO addresses these gaps by offering an efficient and cost-effective solution.”

The device is compact and portable, allowing for therapy at the bedside or while seated in a wheelchair, which makes it suitable for both clinical and home-based use. Its plug-and-train mechanism supports various therapy tools, providing flexibility to address a wide range of hand functions. The gearless DC motor ensures a seamless connection and smooth operation.

PLUTO’s modularity and low-cost fabrication make it adaptable and affordable for healthcare providers and patients. Its scalability ensures the potential for mass production, enabling widespread adoption in clinical, rehabilitation, and home settings. The design focuses on early rehabilitation stages for conditions such as stroke and hand paralysis, facilitating faster functional recovery.

Welcoming the collaboration, Prof. Manu Santhanam, Dean (ICSR), IIT Madras, said, “The collaboration between IIT Madras and CMC Vellore will pave the way for many more interesting innovations with respect to assistive devices. With technology commercialisation and industry implementation being one of the key directives of IIT Madras, we will aim to work towards more such technology adaptations.”

This collaboration demonstrates the potential of academic research translating into impactful healthcare solutions, creating accessible and effective tools for rehabilitation in India.

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