Development of the gait assisted brace using Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics

2022 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K19865
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 59010:Rehabilitation science-related
• Research Institution: Hosei University (2022); The University of Tokyo (2019-2021)
• Principal Investigator: Takeda Iwori 法政大学, 理工学部, 助手 (70792266)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2023-03-31
• Keywords: CFRP / 歩行支援

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, we developed a gait-assist brace using the restoring force of carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP). The design was based on interviews with physical therapists. Topology optimization was used to obtain a design guideline for a lightweight brace. We also evaluated the amount of muscle use during walking to demonstrate the effectiveness of the braces. While there were conditions in which muscle usage decreased, some subjects were unable to convert the restoring force of the CFRP into forward energy. The results suggest that the optimum CFRP thickness is appropriate for each wearer, and that it is important to adjust the brace to the height of the wearer.

Free Research Field

人間工学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

本研究では，CFRPを歩行支援装具に応用している．現在処方されている装具は，金属製支柱を有するため重く，歩行を支援する機能は無い．本研究ではCFRPバネを活用することで，軽量かつ自身の体重を歩行支援に変換できる装具を実現しており，リハビリテーション分野における独自性の高い知見が得られている．また，副次的に，人工知能による姿勢解析技術が既存のモーションキャプチャに匹敵する精度を持つことがわかった．これにより，専用のスタジオに限定されること無く，屋外等の従来では困難だった環境での姿勢解析が可能であることを明らかにした．