Paws in Motion: Transforming Animal Rehab with Robotics

Great innovation happens only when people are not afraid to do things differently. This captures the essence of how technology is rapidly transforming the veterinary field. Specifically, robotic exoskeletons, which has brought a revolutionary approach to rehabilitation for animals.

Exoskeletons are usually associated with animals such as grasshoppers and crabs, but CSU’s Biomedical engineering team provides a canine exoskeleton (for dogs), presenting a new direction for the rehabilitation of injured dogs. Instead of a prosthesis to substitute a missing limb, the canine exoskeleton supplements movement for dogs with weak or non-functioning limbs. Until recently, the technology needed to process information fast enough to capture and imitate movement did not exist, so this project is the first of its kind. Firstly, to create a functioning exoskeleton data on canine movement has to be captured. Data collection braces are worn by a healthy dog, and the braces record movement as the dog walks, runs, sits, goes up stairs, and even rolls around in the snow, capturing gyroscope, accelerometer and pressure sensor data. The motorized brace system placed on the dog to collect data would then be placed on fabricated hind limbs to provide the desired movement using motors.

Once the data is captured, an intelligent controller applies the appropriate inputs into motorized braces. The sensors built into the braces are used to anticipate intent, and cause movement of the programmed brace to simulate the muscle and leg movement of the dog’s hind legs. For example, as the dog takes a step forward with its front right paw, its back left paw soon steps forward. The gyroscope and accelerometer sensor immediately sense when the front paw is stepping forward, which triggers the Motorized brace system to start moving. The pressure sensors modulate the system to provide feedback on the back paws location (whether it is on the ground or in swing) and if the dog is resisting to move forward (to shut the system off). This interpretation of data to see if the dog wants to walk, moves the dog forward based on the signals. It facilitates the dog to walk up to 3 miles per hour. This invention is transitioning from a luxury to a necessity in many dogs as canines with hind limb paralysis have very limited options for rehabilitation. One of the primary reasons for the use of this method is spinal issues or progressive diseases such as degenerative myelopathy (which leads to paralysis and has no effective cure). The most crucial aspect of the robotic exoskeleton is that it allows for independent function and movement allowing for them to thrive and entertain themselves which relieves owners. Unlike carts and wheelchairs, which they cannot wear indefinitely because dogs can't relax or lie down in a cart. One of the most famous uses of this technology is providing mobility in a dog with three legs Instead of providing a prosthetic, this alleviates the weight from the third leg and ensures a painless life as it supports the remaining limbs rather than replacing the fourth limb with a prosthetic. Finally, due to it being a robotic system, it can be finely tuned to match the needs of individual animals, adjusting for the amount of assistance provided, mimicking the natural process of recovery. Without this, thousands of dogs would unnecessarily feel agony and face issues on a daily basis. Robotic exoskeletons are redefining the way animal rehabilitation is approached, transcending barriers and defining a new chapter in animal recovery.