A Ground-Stair Walking Strategy of the Assistive Device Based on the RGB-D Camera

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shuai-Hong Yu ◽  
Bo-Rong Yang ◽  
Hee-Hyol Lee ◽  
Eiichiro Tanaka
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Device ◽  
Stair Walking

Using a saddle-assistive device equipped with mechanical orthosis for walking of the person with incomplete spinal cord injury

2021 ◽  
pp. 095441192110201
Author(s):  
Akbar Hojjati Najafabadi ◽  
Saeid Amini ◽  
Farzam Farahmand
Keyword(s):  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Assistive Devices ◽  
Assistive Device ◽  
Walking Ability ◽  
Vertical Force ◽  
Incomplete Spinal Cord Injury ◽  
Combined Application ◽  
Cord Injury

The majority of the people with incomplete spinal cord injury lose their walking ability, due to the weakness of their muscle motors in providing torque. As a result, developing assistive devices to improve their conditionis of great importance. In this study, a combined application of the saddle-assistive device (S-AD) and mechanical medial linkage or thosis was evaluated to improve the walking ability in patients with spinal cord injury in the gait laboratory. This mobile assistive device is called the saddle-assistive device equipped with medial linkage or thosis (S-ADEM). In this device, a mechanical orthosis was used in a wheeled walker as previously done in the literature. Initially, for evaluation of the proposed assistive device, the experimental results related to the forces and torques exerted on the feet and upper limbs of a person with the incomplete Spinal Cord Injury (SCI) during walking usingthe standard walker were compared with an those obtained from using the S-ADEM on an able-bodied subject. It was found that using this combination of assistive devices decreases the vertical force and torque on the foot at the time of walking by 53% and 48%, respectively compared to a standard walker. Moreover, the hand-reaction force on the upper limb was negligible instanding and walking positions usingthe introduced device. The findings of this study revealed that the walking ability of the patients with incomplete SCI was improved using the proposed device, which is due to the bodyweight support and the motion technology used in it.

scholarly journals Extrinsically Conductive Nanomaterials for Cardiac Tissue Engineering Applications

Micromachines ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (8) ◽  
pp. 914
Author(s):  
Arsalan Ul Haq ◽  
Felicia Carotenuto ◽  
Paolo Di Nardo ◽  
Roberto Francini ◽  
Paolo Prosposito ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tissue Engineering ◽  
Cardiac Tissue ◽  
Scar Tissue ◽  
Cardiac Tissue Engineering ◽  
Assistive Device ◽  
Long Run ◽  
Fibrotic Scar ◽  
Regeneration Capability ◽  
Conductive Nanomaterials

Myocardial infarction (MI) is the consequence of coronary artery thrombosis resulting in ischemia and necrosis of the myocardium. As a result, billions of contractile cardiomyocytes are lost with poor innate regeneration capability. This degenerated tissue is replaced by collagen-rich fibrotic scar tissue as the usual body response to quickly repair the injury. The non-conductive nature of this tissue results in arrhythmias and asynchronous beating leading to total heart failure in the long run due to ventricular remodelling. Traditional pharmacological and assistive device approaches have failed to meet the utmost need for tissue regeneration to repair MI injuries. Engineered heart tissues (EHTs) seem promising alternatives, but their non-conductive nature could not resolve problems such as arrhythmias and asynchronous beating for long term in-vivo applications. The ability of nanotechnology to mimic the nano-bioarchitecture of the extracellular matrix and the potential of cardiac tissue engineering to engineer heart-like tissues makes it a unique combination to develop conductive constructs. Biomaterials blended with conductive nanomaterials could yield conductive constructs (referred to as extrinsically conductive). These cell-laden conductive constructs can alleviate cardiac functions when implanted in-vivo. A succinct review of the most promising applications of nanomaterials in cardiac tissue engineering to repair MI injuries is presented with a focus on extrinsically conductive nanomaterials.

scholarly journals Identical Limb Dynamics for Unilateral Impairments through Biomechanical Equivalence

Symmetry ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 705
Author(s):  
Fatemeh Rasouli ◽  
Kyle B. Reed
Keyword(s):  
Mathematical Model ◽  
Numerical Solution ◽  
Dynamic Models ◽  
Assistive Devices ◽  
Assistive Device ◽  
Human Walking ◽  
Physical Parameters ◽  
Gait Rehabilitation ◽  
And Performance ◽  
Two Sides

Dynamic models, such as double pendulums, can generate similar dynamics as human limbs. They are versatile tools for simulating and analyzing the human walking cycle and performance under various conditions. They include multiple links, hinges, and masses that represent physical parameters of a limb or an assistive device. This study develops a mathematical model of dissimilar double pendulums that mimics human walking with unilateral gait impairment and establishes identical dynamics between asymmetric limbs. It introduces new coefficients that create biomechanical equivalence between two sides of an asymmetric gait. The numerical solution demonstrates that dissimilar double pendulums can have symmetric kinematic and kinetic outcomes. Parallel solutions with different physical parameters but similar biomechanical coefficients enable interchangeable designs that could be incorporated into gait rehabilitation treatments or alternative prosthetic and ambulatory assistive devices.

scholarly journals Design and control of a passive compliant actuation with positioning measurement by LED and photodiode detector for medical application

2021 ◽  
Vol 54 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 216-230
Author(s):  
Anan Suebsomran
Keyword(s):  
Supervisory Control ◽  
Electromagnetic Interference ◽  
Medical Application ◽  
Torque Control ◽  
Assistive Device ◽  
Joint Control ◽  
Design Error ◽  
Exoskeleton Robot ◽  
Compliant Actuation ◽  
Wearable Exoskeleton

Control of assistive exoskeleton robot recently has to be crucial of development and innovation of medical application. To support daily motions for humans, control application of assistive exoskeleton robot allows for limb movement with increased strength and endurance during patient’s wearable exoskeleton robot application. The interaction between such exoskeleton device and the human body at the connecting joint, especially the knees, is the main interest of this design formation. The assistive device requires to design and to develop into innovation design aspect. This research presents the novel design of an active compliant actuation joint in order to increasing the higher torque of actuation than conventional actuation joint. Control design of the higher torque actuation usually difficult priori to conventional torque control. This will contributed to applying the supervisory control for compliant actuation that verified by experiment method. Then the hybrid Radial Basis Function neural network (RBFNN) and PID were proposed for actuating torque control methods. Experimental results show that the design of supervisory control is get better response, and higher producing torque output than the conventional design. Error of torque control of compliant actuation is not instead of [Formula: see text] N·m for applying supervisory control, RBFNN with PID controller. Indeed, the low electromagnetic interference (EMI) positioning system using LED and photodiode detector is proposed to be usable in medical application.

scholarly journals Design and Experimental Characterization of L-CADEL v2, an Assistive Device for Elbow Motion

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (15) ◽  
pp. 5149
Author(s):  
Marco Ceccarelli ◽  
Mykhailo Riabtsev ◽  
Axel Fort ◽  
Matteo Russo ◽  
Med Amine Laribi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elderly People ◽  
Operating Performance ◽  
Assistive Device ◽  
Test Results ◽  
Experimental Characterization ◽  
Elbow Motion ◽  
Laboratory Prototype

An experimental characterization is presented for an improved version of a wearable assistive device for elbow motion. The design is revised with respect to requirements for elbow motion assistance, looking at applications both in rehabilitation therapies and exercising of elderly people. A laboratory prototype is built with lightweight, portable, easy-to-use features that are verified with test results, whose discussion is also provided as a characterization of operating performance.

Physiotherapy approach in stroke rehabilitation: Development and testing of a survey of current practice

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-9
Author(s):  
Francesco Ferrarello ◽  
Lorenzo Capolli ◽  
Suchi Kader ◽  
Mauro Di Bari
Keyword(s):  
Stroke Rehabilitation ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Questionnaire Development ◽  
Assistive Device ◽  
Cognitive Interviewing ◽  
Time Interval ◽  
Educational Strategies ◽  
Clinical Practices ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
Methodological Considerations

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Physiotherapy is a key discipline in stroke rehabilitation. Physiotherapists sometimes select interventions following personal preference rather than a scientific rational. Data on physiotherapy approaches used in stroke rehabilitation may help policy makers and educators to plan education strategies and implement efficient clinical practices, thus improving rehabilitation effectiveness. We aimed to develop and test a questionnaire designed to survey physiotherapy interventions utilized in stroke rehabilitation. METHODS: We used a multistep questionnaire development method (literature review and synthesis; questionnaire drafting; expert validation; cognitive interviewing). Afterwards the survey proceeded to reliability testing; the outcomes of interest were completion time, estimated comprehensiveness of the lists of interventions, and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Retrieved survey tools, their items, and a taxonomy were useful for the questionnaire development. We interviewed four experts; changes were made to the survey following their suggestions. Thirteen physiotherapists participated in cognitive interviewing and further changes were made. Thirty-five raters participated in the test-retest study. Most participants considered the list of physiotherapy interventions and assistive device exhaustive. Median compilation time and time interval between the two compilations were 7 minutes and 21 days. The observed ICC was 0.844 (95% confidence interval, 0.829/0.857). Our method provided a valid and reliable questionnaire, however further methodological considerations of sampling methods and contact delivery modes are needed. CONCLUSIONS: If adequately implemented, the questionnaire can provide information about interventions utilized in stroke rehabilitation practice by physiotherapists. Data eventually acquired could be useful for planning educational strategies and implementing effective clinical practices.

scholarly journals A Framework for a New Approach to Empower Users Through Low-Cost and Do-It-Yourself Assistive Technology

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (6) ◽  
pp. 3039
Author(s):  
Thais Pousada García ◽  
Jessica Garabal-Barbeira ◽  
Patricia Porto Trillo ◽  
Olalla Vilar Figueira ◽  
Cristina Novo Díaz ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Assistive Technology ◽  
Outcome Measures ◽  
Design Thinking ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Assistive Device ◽  
Preliminary Results ◽  
Do It Yourself ◽  
Principles Of Design

Background: Assistive Technology (AT) refers to “assistive products and related systems and services developed for people to maintain or improve functioning and thereby to promote well-being”. Improving the process of design and creation of assistive products is an important step towards strengthening AT provision. Purpose: (1) to present a framework for designing and creating Low-Cost AT; (2) to display the preliminary results and evidence derived from applying the framework. Methodology: First, an evidence-based process was applied to develop and conceptualize the framework. Then, a pilot project to validate the framework was carried out. The sample was formed by 11 people with disabilities. The measure instruments were specific questionnaire, several forms of the Matching Person-Technology model, the Psychosocial Impact of Assistive Device Scale, and a tool to assess the usability and universal design of AT. Results: The framework integrates three phases: Identification (Design), Creation (Making the prototype), and Implementation (Outcome Measures), based on the principles of Design Thinking, and with a user-centered perspective. The preliminary results showed the coherence of the entire process and its applicability. The matching between person and device was high, representing the importance of involving the user in the design and selection of AT. Conclusions: The framework is a guide for professionals and users to apply a Low-Cost and Do-It-Yourself perspective to the provision of AT. It highlights the importance of monitoring the entire procedure and measuring the effects, by applying the outcome measures.

Toward virtual stair walking

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
MinYeong Seo ◽  
HyeongYeop Kang
Keyword(s):  
Stair Walking
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