Neofect Smart Glove

The Neofect Smart Glove is an electronic upper limb rehabilitation system, designed primarily for adult patients recovering from stroke. The system combines a hand-worn glove equipped with motion sensors with rehabilitation software using exercises and interactive games. Its purpose is to support intensive, repetitive movement training of the forearm, wrist, and fingers, and to provide feedback to the patient and therapist.

The Smart Glove is not a robotic glove or exoskeleton. The device does not move the patient's hand or fingers; rather, it measures the user's own movement. Therefore, at least a small amount of active movement of the forearm, wrist, or fingers is required to use the device.

Technology and Operation

The glove utilizes flexion sensors located in the finger section and an inertial measurement unit (IMU), which measures movement and orientation. Neofect's documentation describes a 9-axis system that measures acceleration, angular velocity, and magnetic field. Data regarding hand position and movement are transmitted wirelessly via Bluetooth to a computer system.

The system can record, among other things:

forearm pronation and supination,
wrist flexion and extension,
radial and ulnar deviation of the wrist,
finger flexion and extension,
and more complex movement combinations.

The software uses sensor data to control a virtual hand or objects used in rehabilitation exercises. It also allows for range-of-motion measurements, including AROM (Active Range of Motion), and assessment of therapy progress.

The glove is relatively lightweight. Manufacturer documentation for one version lists a weight of approximately 132 g, with the exact weight depending on the model, size, and power source used. The design is made of an elastomeric material that allows for a snug fit and easy cleaning.

Software Required for Operation
The Smart Glove is not a standalone device. To properly utilize the rehabilitation functions, Neofect software and a display device are required.
In the official Neofect documentation for the clinical version, the kit includes:
Neofect Clinic Software for Smart Glove,
a dedicated Smart Glove exercise module,
a display system based on an Android tablet or Android PC Box,
connection of the glove to the system via Bluetooth.

The manufacturer also indicates that software updates can be part of the clinical solution.

Newer clinical system offerings include:

Smart Glove Evaluation & Training Software Module – evaluation and exercise module,
Neofect Clinic 2.0 Patient Management Software – software for managing patients, exercise programs, and results,
Android PC Box,
touchscreen or monitor.

A version designed for home use is also available. Neofect distinguishes the Home system from the clinical version – the home solution is designed for an individual user, while the clinical solution allows for the registration and management of multiple patients.

Key software features

The software allows for task-based exercises that mimic activities performed in everyday life. The patient's hand movements are reflected on the screen, providing immediate feedback.

The system enables:

exercise in a game-like format,
visualize movement in real time,
measure range of motion,
record exercise results,
monitor changes and progress,
adapt the difficulty level to the patient's abilities,
perform a large number of repetitions in a single session.

Neofect uses a mechanism called the Learning Schedule Algorithm, which adapts the type and difficulty level of exercises to the user's abilities and previous results.