scholarly journals Comparison of Manual Wheelchair and Pushrim-Activated Power-Assisted Wheelchair Propulsion Characteristics during Common Over-Ground Maneuvers

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (21) ◽  
pp. 7008
Author(s):  
Mahsa Khalili ◽  
Garrett Kryt ◽  
W. Ben Mortenson ◽  
Hendrik F. Machiel Van der Loos ◽  
Jaimie Borisoff

Pushrim-activated power-assisted wheels (PAPAWs) are assistive technologies that use force sensor data to provide on-demand propulsion assistance to manual wheelchair users. However, available data about kinetic and kinematic of PAPAW use are mainly limited to experiments performed on a treadmill or using a dynamometer. In this work, we performed experiments to gather kinetics of wheelchair propulsion and kinematics of wheelchair motion for a variety of over-ground wheelchair maneuvers with a manual wheelchair with and without PAPAWs. Our findings revealed that using PAPAWs can significantly reduce the propulsion effort and push frequency. Both linear and angular velocities of the wheelchair were significantly increased when using PAPAWs. Less force and push frequency could potentially reduce risk of chronic upper limb injury. Higher linear velocity could be desirable for various daily life activities; however; the increase in the angular velocity could lead to unintended deviations from a desired path. Future research could investigate PAPAW controllers that amplify the desired intentions of users while mitigating any unwanted behaviours.

2003 ◽  
Vol 35 (Supplement 1) ◽  
pp. S346
Author(s):  
K Vrongistinos ◽  
R Kirkendall ◽  
Y T. Wang ◽  
G Stylianides ◽  
Y S. Hwang

2006 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-150
Author(s):  
M. Mallakzadeh ◽  
F. Sassani

Manual wheelchair propulsion (MWP) is an inefficient and physically straining process. A reliably fabricated and instrumented wheel can help researchers to accurately calculate the forces and moments exerted by the wheelchair users and propose strategies to improve MWP. In this study, an instrumented wheel is designed, fabricated, and validated by using general uncertainty analysis. A six-component transducer is used to measure three-dimensional forces and moments applied by the wheelchair user on the handrim. The output of the transducer are forces and moments, which are directly transmitted to a PC using a USB port. By developing the transformation equations, the actual forces and moments on the hand of the wheelchair user are calculated. The angular position of the hand on the handrim is calculated from the kinetic data obtained through the instrumented wheel, and the derived equations. The general uncertainty analysis method is used to calculate the uncertainty values for the variables of interest with the Taylor series expansions. An analysis of the results shows that it is possible to obtain reliable information for MWP by using the instrumented wheel. Most of the data have uncertainties under 5% during much of the propulsion phase, and the patterns and overall behavior of the results are comparable to published data.


2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (9-10) ◽  
pp. 967-972 ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Moon ◽  
C. Jayaraman ◽  
I.M.K. Hsu ◽  
I.M. Rice ◽  
E.T. Hsiao-Wecksler ◽  
...  

2018 ◽  
Vol 61 ◽  
pp. 398-402 ◽  
Author(s):  
Félix Chénier ◽  
Audrey Champagne ◽  
Guillaume Desroches ◽  
Dany H. Gagnon

2012 ◽  
Vol 28 (4) ◽  
pp. 412-419 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alicia M. Koontz ◽  
Lynn A. Worobey ◽  
Ian M. Rice ◽  
Jennifer L. Collinger ◽  
Michael L. Boninger

Laboratory-based simulators afford many advantages for studying physiology and biomechanics; however, they may not perfectly mimic wheelchair propulsion over natural surfaces. The goal of this study was to compare kinetic and temporal parameters between propulsion overground on a tile surface and on a dynamometer. Twenty-four experienced manual wheelchair users propelled at a self-selected speed on smooth, level tile and a dynamometer while kinetic data were collected using an instrumented wheel. A Pearson correlation test was used to examine the relationship between propulsion variables obtained on the dynamometer and the overground condition. Ensemble resultant force and moment curves were compared using cross-correlation and qualitative analysis of curve shape. User biomechanics were correlated (R ranging from 0.41 to 0.83) between surfaces. Overall, findings suggest that although the dynamometer does not perfectly emulate overground propulsion, wheelchair users were consistent with the direction and amount of force applied, the time peak force was reached, push angle, and their stroke frequency between conditions.


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