Abstract: A rehabilitation system employs a force feedback system, such as a force feedback glove, to simulate virtual deformable objects. Prior to rehabilitation, the patient places his or her hand in a sensing glove which measures the force exertable by the patient's digits. Information from the sensing glove is received by an interface and transmitted to a computer where the information can be used to diagnose the patient's manual capability. The computer generates rehabilitation control signals for a force feedback glove. The patient places his or her hand in the force feedback glove and attempts to bring the digits together as though grasping the virtual object. The force feedback glove resists the squeezing movement of the digits in a manner that simulates the tactile feel of the virtual object. The force exerted by the fingers of the patient is fed back to the computer control system where it can be recorded and/or used to modify future rehabilitation control signals.

Abstract: A man-machine interface comprises a sensor having first and second ends. The sensor carriers four transducers oriented therearound such that the sensor is responsive to flex in two directions. An affixing mechanism, such as a glove or cloth strap, is provided for affixing the man-machine interface to a patient's body. A first mounting mechanism is provided for rigidly mounting the first end of the sensor to the affixing mechanism. A second mounting mechanism is provided for slidably mounting a second end of the sensor to the affixing mechanism. In that manner, flex in two directions can be sensed without adding any tensile forces to the sensor as a result of the joint being flexed.

Abstract: An isometric force-measuring device is comprised of first and second opposed force-bearing surfaces. An incompressible, nonfluid material is positioned between the first and second surfaces. The material is capable of building up pressure in response to the application of force to the force-bearing surfaces. A pressure transducer is responsive to the pressure stored in the material for producing an output signal representative of the force.

Abstract: A system for measuring an inputting range of motion data to a computer comprises a goniometer for measuring range of motion and for producing a range of motion signal from those measurements. A plurality of switches are carried by the goniometer for producing control signals. An interface device receives the range of motion signal and digitizes that signal to produce range of motion data. The interface device also receives the control signals which are used to control the input of the range of motion data to the computer.