Design and pilot validation of A-gear: A novel wearable dynamic arm support
| Autor: | A. G. Dunning, Just L. Herder, Bart F.J.M. Koopman, Peter N. Kooren, Joan Lobo-Prat, Mariska M. H. P. Janssen, Micha I. Paalman, Imelda J. M. de Groot |
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| Přispěvatelé: | Faculty of Engineering Technology, Physics and medical technology, Other Research |
| Jazyk: | angličtina |
| Rok vydání: | 2015 |
| Předmět: |
Adult
Male 030506 rehabilitation Engineering medicine.medical_specialty Movement Wearable computer Pilot Projects Health Informatics Kinematics Upper Extremity 03 medical and health sciences 0302 clinical medicine Wheelchair Physical medicine and rehabilitation Forearm medicine Humans Exoskeleton Device Simulation Balance (ability) METIS-313970 business.industry Research Rehabilitation Middle Aged Torso Disorders of movement Donders Center for Medical Neuroscience [Radboudumc 3] Biomechanical Phenomena Muscular Dystrophy Duchenne medicine.anatomical_structure IR-104366 Female Erratum 0305 other medical science business Robotic arm human activities 030217 neurology & neurosurgery |
| Zdroj: | Journal of neuroengineering and rehabilitation, 12(1):83. BioMed Central Ltd. Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation Kooren, P N, Dunning, A G, Janssen, M M H P, Lobo-Prat, J, Koopman, B F J M, Paalman, M I, de Groot, I J M & Herder, J L 2015, ' Design and pilot validation of A-gear: a novel wearable dynamic arm support ', Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, vol. 12, pp. 83-83 . https://doi.org/10.1186/s12984-015-0072-y Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation, 12, 83 Journal of Neuroengineering and Rehabilitation, 12, 1, pp. 83 Journal of NeuroEngineering and Rehabilitation, 12, 83-83. BioMed Central |
| ISSN: | 1743-0003 |
| DOI: | 10.1186/s12984-015-0072-y |
| Popis: | Background Persons suffering from progressive muscular weakness, like those with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD), gradually lose the ability to stand, walk and to use their arms. This hinders them from performing daily activities, social participation and being independent. Wheelchairs are used to overcome the loss of walking. However, there are currently few efficient functional substitutes to support the arms. Arm supports or robotic arms can be mounted to wheelchairs to aid in arm motion, but they are quite visible (stigmatizing), and limited in their possibilities due to their fixation to the wheelchair. The users prefer inconspicuous arm supports that are comfortable to wear and easy to control. Methods In this paper the design, characterization, and pilot validation of a passive arm support prototype, which is worn on the body, is presented. The A-gear runs along the body from the contact surface between seat and upper legs via torso and upper arm to the forearm. Freedom of motion is accomplished by mechanical joints, which are nearly aligned with the human joints. The system compensates for the arm weight, using elastic bands for static balance, in every position of the arm. As opposed to existing devices, the proposed kinematic structure allows trunk motion and requires fewer links and less joint space without compromising balancing precision. The functional prototype has been validated in three DMD patients, using 3D motion analysis. Results Measurements have shown increased arm performance when the subjects were wearing the prototype. Upward and forward movements were easier to perform. The arm support is easy to put on and remove. Moreover, the device felt comfortable for the subjects. However, downward movements were more difficult, and the patients would prefer the device to be even more inconspicuous. Conclusion The A-gear prototype is a step towards inconspicuousness and therefore well-received dynamic arm supports for people with muscular weakness. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12984-015-0072-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users. |
| Databáze: | OpenAIRE |
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