Sunil K. Agrawal, Ph.D.

A new study shows how a robotic device can assist and train people with spinal cord injuries (SCIs) to sit more stably by improving their trunk control.

Developed at Columbia University (New York, NY, USA), the Trunk-Support Trainer (TruST) is based on a motorized-cable belt placed around the torso that helps determine the individual postural control limits and sitting workspace area for people with SCI. It also delivers forces on the torso when the user performs upper body movements beyond their postural stability limits while sitting. SCI patients first perform maximal trunk excursions along eight directions, radiating in a star-shape, in order to define their seated postural limits and workspace area (in cm2). TruST is then configured to apply assist-as-needed forces when the trunk moves beyond these postural limits… Continue reading.

WASHINGTON, D.C.— The American Institute for Medical and Biological Engineering (AIMBE) has announced the pending induction of Sunil K. Agrawal, Ph.D., Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering and Department of Rehabilitation and Regenerative Medicine, Columbia University, to its College of Fellows. Dr. Agrawal was nominated, reviewed, and elected by peers and members of the College of Fellows For outstanding contributions in designing intelligent innovative rehabilitation machines and training algorithms for rehabilitation of patients with neurological disorders.