A walking assist device, which is to be worn on a person’s leg, includes a shank link, a thigh member, and a knee mechanism. The thigh member is in contact with the person’s thigh when the device is worn on the person’s leg. The knee mechanism rotatably connects the shank link to the thigh member. When the shank link is in contact with the ground, the knee mechanism is configured to resist the rotation of the shank link relative to the thigh member to prevent the person’s foot from contacting the ground and reduces ground reaction forces entering the person’s foot.

(далее…)

Категория: Патенты | Нет комментариев »

A semi-actuated above knee prosthetic system (100), includes a shank link (105) coupled to an artificial foot (108), a knee mechanism (107) connected to the shank link (105) and a thigh link (103) attached to an above-knee remaining lower limb (110) of an amputee, is operable in two modes controlled by a signal processor (130) linked to various sensors (120,122,124,126,127). In the actuated mode, power is delivered to a torque generator (104) connected to the knee mechanism (107) to move thigh (103) and shank links (105). In the un-actuated mode, a control circuit (204) operates in a non-powered manner with modulated resistance in the knee mechanism (107). Power is delivered through an electric motor (202) connected to a battery source (205) and employed to drive a hydraulic pump (201) as part of an overall hydraulic power unit (200) including the torque generator (104).

(далее…)

Категория: Патенты | Нет комментариев »

Предлагается распространение составленного на основе обобщeнного метода Ньютона-Эйлера алгоритма динамического анализа упругих манипуляторов на случай упругих древовидных механи-ческих систем, свободных от внешних ограничений. Оснащ¸нная расч¸тная схема численного решения смешанной задачи динамики сохраняет в итоге все преимущества, достигнутые ранее при построении отправного алгоритма.

(далее…)

Категория: Научные статьи | Нет комментариев »

To describe the ARAMIS (Automatic Recovery Arm Motility Integrated System) project, a concept robot applicable in the neuro-rehabili-tation of the paretic upper limb after stroke. Methods, results and conclusion: The rationale and engineering of a state-of-the-art, hardware/software integrated robot system, its mechanics, ergonomics, electric/electronics features providing control, safety and suitability of use are described. An ARAMIS prototype has been built and is now available for clinical tests. It allows the therapist to design neuro-rehabilitative (synchronous or asynchronous) training protocols in which sample exercises are generated by a single exoskeleton (operated by the patient’s unaffected arm or by the therapist’s arm) and mirrored in real-time or offline by the exoskele-ton supporting the paretic arm.

(далее…)

Категория: Научные статьи | Нет комментариев »

Lower extremity (LE) work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) are known to occur with cumulative exposure to occupational and personal risks. The objective of this disserta-tion study was to find if creating a quantifiable risk detection model for the LE was feasible. The primary product of the literature review conducted for this study resulted in focu-sing the attention of the model development process onto creating the initial model of the LE for assessing knee disorder risk factors.LE occupational disorders affect numerous industries and thousands of people each year by affecting any one of the musculoskeletal systems deemed susceptible by the occupa-tional and personal risk factors involved. Industries known to be affected tend to have labor intensive job descriptions. Some of the numerous industry examples include mining, manufacturing, firefighting, and carpet laying. Types of WMSDs noticed by the literature include bursitis, osteoarthritis, stress fractu-res, tissue inflammation, and nerve entrapment. In addition to the occupationally related disorders that may develop, occupationally related discomforts were also taken into consideration by this study. Gene-rally, both the disorders and the discomforts can be traced to either a personal or occupational risk factor or both. Personal risk factors noted by the literature include a person’s physical fitness and health history (such as past injuries). Meanwhile, occupational risks can be generalized to physical postu-res, activities, and even joint angles. Prevalence data over a three year interval (2003-2005) has found that LE WMSDs make up on average approximately 7.5% of all the WMSD cases reported to the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). When the literature is refined to iii the information pertaining to occupational knee disorders, the mean prevalence percentage of the same three year range is about 5%. Mean cost for knee injuries were found to be $18,495 (for the year between 2003 and 2004).

(далее…)

Категория: Научные статьи | Нет комментариев »