Design of a novel walking assistance device for people with walking disabilities

  • Authors

    • Mohammad Rafighi Doctorate candidate in the Field of Manufacturing Engineering, Technology Faculty, Gazi University, Ankara, Turkey
    • Abdulkadir Güllü Prof.
    2017-11-28
    https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v6i4.8656
  • Design, Finite Element Analysis, Rehabilitation, Walking assistance device, Walking impaired person.

  • Abstract

    Moving independently is very important for people with walking disability, thus, in this paper the novel walking assistance device is designed based on strategies derived from optimization of available walking assistance devices for ‎the people with walking disabilities. Available walking assistance device like ReWalk has high price and heavy weight disadvantages. Therefore, the main aim of this study is optimization of available devices by new design and analyses to make them cheaper and lighter. The presented device is a simulator of a human body motion in lower limb which consists of ‎ hip, shank and knee. All parts were designed and assembled in software module and after manufacturing, it could be used as a rehabilitation device for the people with walking disability to support their sitting, standing and walking. As a result, regarding to aforementioned issues, in this study the new walking assistance device was designed which is inexpensive and light weight.

  • References

    1. [1] Suzuki, K., et al., “Intention-based walking support for paraplegia patientâ€, IEEE Transaction on Systems, Man and Cybernetics, Vol 3, (2005), pp:2707-2713.

      [2] Suzuki, K., et al. “Intention-based walking support for paraplegia patients with Robot Suit HALâ€, Advanced Robotics Vol 21, No 12 (2007), pp: 1441-1469.

      [3] Nemoto, Y., et al., “Power-assisted walking support system for elderlyâ€, IEEE Transaction on Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, Vol 5, (1998), pp:2693-2695.

      [4] Yu, H., Spenko, M., & Dubowsky, S., “An adaptive shared control system for an intelligent mobility aid for the elderlyâ€, Autonomous Robots, Vol 15, No 1, (2003), pp: 53-66.

      [5] Jarvis, R., “A semi-autonomous robotic walk-chairâ€, IEEE Transaction on Autonomous Robots and Agents, (2009), pp. 33-37.

      [6] Ikehara, T., et al., “Development of closed-fitting-type walking assistance device for legs and evaluation of muscle activityâ€, IEEE Transaction on Rehabilitation Robotics, (2011), pp: 1-7.

      [7] Seiciu, P. L., “New design aspects of a locomotory rehabilitation mechatronic systemâ€, Annals of DAAAM & Proceedings, (2008), pp: 1241-1243.

      [8] Ikehara, T., et al., “Development of a Closed-Fitting-Type Walking Assistance Device for Rehabilitationâ€, Applied Mechanics and Materials, Vol 162, (2012), pp: 252-257.

      [9] Shimizu, Y., et al., “A preliminary report about a new robot wpal (wearable power-assist locomotor) for paraplegic gait reconstructionâ€, Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine, Vol 46, No 8, (2009), pp: 527-533.

      [10] Hata, N., & Hori, Y., “Basic research on power limb using variable stiffness mechanismâ€, IEEE Transaction on Power Conversion, Vol 2, (2002), pp: 917-920.

      [11] Son, D., et al., “Multifunctional wearable devices for diagnosis and therapy of movement disorders†Nature nanotechnology, Vol 9, No 5, (2014), pp: 397-404.

      [12] Hung, K., Zhang, Y. T., & Tai, B., “Wearable medical devices for tele-home healthcareâ€, IEEE Transaction on Engineering in Medicine and Biology Society, Vol 2, (2004), pp:5384-5387.

      [13] Zheng, Y. L., et al., “Unobtrusive sensing and wearable devices for health informaticsâ€, IEEE Transactions on Biomedical Engineering, Vol 61, No 5, (2014), pp: 1538-1554.

      [14] Kondak, K., Dasgupta, B., & Hommel, G., “Design and optimization of the thigh for an exoskeleton based on parallel mechanismâ€, Proceedings of the Fifth International Conference on Climbing and Walking Robots and their Supporting Technologies, (2002), pp: 571-578.

      [15] Seireg, A., & Grundmann, J. G., “Design of a multitask exoskeletal walking device for paraplegicsâ€, Biomechanics of medical devices, (1981), pp: 569-644.

  • Downloads

  • How to Cite

    Rafighi, M., & Güllü, A. (2017). Design of a novel walking assistance device for people with walking disabilities. International Journal of Engineering & Technology, 6(4), 191-194. https://doi.org/10.14419/ijet.v6i4.8656

    Received date: 2017-11-13

    Accepted date: 2017-11-20

    Published date: 2017-11-28