The standina movement assistance system with artificial muscles which we develooed newly

2006 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary

• Project/Area Number: 17500359
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Rehabilitation science/Welfare engineering
• Research Institution: Okayama University
• Principal Investigator: SENDA Masuo Okayama University Hospital, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabiritation, Associate Professor, 医学部・歯学部附属病院, 助教授 (60226694)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): NORITSUGU Toshirou Gradutate School of Natural Science and Technology, Professor, 大学院自然科学研究科, 教授 (70043726) ; KATAYAMA Yoshimi Okayama University Hospital, Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabiritation, Medical staff, 医学部・歯学部附属病院, 医員 (90397886)
• Project Period (FY): 2005 – 2006
• Keywords: artificial muscle / standing movement assistance system

Research Abstract

The artificial muscle which we developed newly is air pressure rubber artificial muscle of a hose-shaped structure body having characteristics to shrink axially at the same time to expand in a radial direction by sending compressed air into inside. At first we made long leg brace (LLB) with the double upright bar which we matched with a subject. We attached artificial muscle three of them to a LLB and devised it to act for knee extension power. We performed movement subjects attached LLB, and to get up from sitting position and investigated a difference of a power to support when we did not work when artificial muscle worked. We used an assistance power measurement sensor and a controller for the measurement of the power to support. Without triggering artificial muscles, as for the power to support that we required, 300N was more than it. In contrast, when we triggered artificial muscles, the power to support required only about 1/10 power when we did not trigger. We confirmed it about the subjects.
For the spinal cord injury patient paralyzed on a lower extremity, we obtained the person himself and a family's consent and made an erect position assistance system and attached it. The subject of lower extremities paralysis was able to stand by operating by oneself. A current standing movement assistance system is the structure which attached an artificial muscle to LLB, but is developing the system which we can wear like clothes in future. About results of research, we reported it in the No. 43 Japanese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine In addition, we are to report it in the No. 44 Japanese Association of Rehabilitation Medicine of June, 2007 and July, 2007 No. 19 Japan locomotoion rehabilitation congress. In addition, we are to contribute it as English thesis as possible earl