A Novel Hardware and Software Interface for a Grip Force Tracking System

Abstract

This paper aims to present a new hardware component and software interface for a Grip Force Tracking System. During the rehabilitation process after e.g. a stroke any user needs a confirmation of his/her the treatment effectiveness. The Grip Force Tracking System (GFTS) is a system that helps the upper limb rehabilitative process and provide also a record of the improvements on a daily basis. The former GFTS has been only used under old versions of PC software operating systems (e.g. windows XP) and without any possibility to wireless collect relevant data. This new proposed GFTS system, which uses only the pinch and grip sensorial devices from the former GFTS system, has new facilities to operate under new operating systems, provides a new LabVIEW designed interface and wirelessly connects to a PC/laptop. This final design will be tested in a clinical environment aiming to help the patients with neuromuscular diseases to evaluate and train their grip force control.