Development of ankle joint stretching mechanism using a brace structure

2016 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15K12598
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Rehabilitation science/Welfare engineering
• Research Institution: University of Toyama
• Principal Investigator: toda hideki 富山大学, 大学院理工学研究部(工学), 准教授 (10520687)
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2017-03-31
• Keywords: 足首関節拘縮 / リハビリテーション / 理学療法士 / 寝たきり防止

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In present study, an ankle joint pushing system was proposed and the effect of the system was examined in the system. Ankle joint bending is one of important physical therapist(PT)’s medical treatment for recovery of walking function and prevention contracture. However, since the ankle treatment needs large force (near subject weight) and precise angle / power control, it has not been replaced by a mechanical treatment system. The developed system uses two features. (1) The proposed device fixing the ankle joint position correctly by contacting with at Achilles tendon, back of calf and hip positions. (2) The bucket rotation center could be shifted the position horizontally as the movement of talus when the pushing. This mechanism can realize the pushing the toe by a large force with no pain any part of the foot stably and it can realize biceps femoris and gastrocnemius muscles stretching simultaneously that was only physical therapist could treat by their ankle treatment.

Free Research Field

ロボティクス, リハビリテーションシステム