Sung-Jae Kang

Development of an intelligent guide-stick for the blind

An intelligent guide stick for the blind was developed. It consists of an ultrasound displacement sensor, two DC motors, and a micro-controller. The total weight is 4.0kg, and the width and the height of the guide stick are 24 cm and 85 cm, respectively. Computer simulations were performed in order to find the traces of the guide stick at three different paths using an in-house Visual C/sup ++/ software. Actual experiments were also performed to compare with the computer simulation results. The difference between the actual experiment and the simulation was 1.19 cm in the straight path. However, the difference alter the first 90/spl deg/ turn was 9.3 cm and became 11.9 cm after the second 90/spl deg/ turn. Nevertheless, the intelligent guide stick followed the path of the road successfully avoiding the obstacle. The intelligent guide stick will help the blind travel with providing more convenient means of life.

Control of air-cell mattress for preventing pressure ulcer based on approximate anthropometric model

Air mattress is now used widely to prevent the pressure ulcer by reducing the localized pressure peaks. In this paper an air-cell mattress and its pressure control method based on an approximate anthropometric model are presented. The air-cell mattress has eighteen cylindrical air cells made of porous material allowing air leakage to contribute in reducing the development of pressure ulcer by lowering the pressure peak, temperature and humidity. To determine an optimal air-cell pressure appropriate for each user, we divide the parts of the body into four sections such as head, trunk, hip, and leg. Then, the pressure of each section is independently calculated from the weight of each part based on the individual body height and weight and the approximate anthropometric model. Air supply system for the air-cell mattress is implemented by using four electronic solenoid valves and an air compressor, and it is driven by a real-time micro-controller. The experimental results for seven subjects shows that the proposed air-cell mattress is effective for the prevention of the pressure ulcer.

Research of Elderly Gait-assistant-robot Control System

In this study, the control method of assistive robot was developed for the elderly. The control method of gait-assistant-robot was proposed considering the change of COP (Center of Pelves), BOS (Base of Support) and comparative analysis of the moving velocity for the elderly. We analyzed the movement of COP of the body and its velocity of the elderly equipped with manual walker and gait-assistant-robot. As a result, change in COP was greater from left to right than from anterior to posterior; also, the average velocity of the movement of COP and manual walker for manual walker gait was 0.7(m/s). Therefore, it is necessary to concern more on the left-right balance and synchronization of the velocity of COP.

Effects of balance ability and handgrip height on kinematics of the gait, torso, and pelvis in elderly women using a four-wheeled walker

Numerous elderly individuals use the four‐wheeled walker (FWW) as a gait‐assistive device. The walkers handgrip height is important for correct use. However, few clinical studies have investigated the biomechanical effects of the FWWs handgrip height on balance. Therefore, the present study assessed kinematic features of the gait, torso and pelvis during use of the FWW at two levels of handgrip height (48% vs 55% of the subjects height) while assessing balance in older adults.

Relief of knee flexion contracture and gait improvement following adaptive training for an assist device in a transtibial amputee: A case study

BACKGROUND Management of a knee contracture is important for regaining gait ability in transtibial amputees. However, there has been little study of prosthesis training for enhancing mobility and improving range of motion in cases of restricted knee extension. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to evaluate the effects of adaptive training for an assist device (ATAD) for a transtibial amputee with a knee flexion contracture (KFC). A male transtibial amputee with KFC performed 4 months of ATAD with a multidisciplinary team. During the ATAD, the passive range of motion (PROM) in the knee, amputee mobility predictor (AMP) assessment, center of pressure (COP) on a force plate-equipped treadmill, gait features determined by three-dimensional motion analysis, and Short-Form 36 Item Health Survey (SF-36) scores were evaluated. RESULTS Following ATAD, PROM showed immediate improvement (135.6 ± 2.4° at baseline, 142.5 ± 1.7° at Step 1, 152.1 ± 1.8° at Step 2, 165.8 ± 1.9° at Step 3, and 166.0 ± 1.4° at Step 4); this was followed by an enhanced COP. Gradually, gait features also improved. Additionally, the AMP score (5 at baseline to 29 at Step 4) and K-level (K0 at baseline to K3 at Step 4) increased after ATAD. Along with these improvements, the SF-36 score also improved. CONCLUSIONS ATAD could be beneficial for transtibial amputees by relieving knee contractures and improving gait.

Effects of knee sleeves on coordination of lower-limb segments in healthy adults during level walking and one-leg hopping

The evaluation of multisegment coordination is important in gaining a better understanding of the gait and physical activities in humans. Therefore, this study aims to verify whether the use of knee sleeves affects the coordination of lower-limb segments during level walking and one-leg hopping. Eleven healthy male adults participated in this study. They were asked to walk 10 m on a level ground and perform one-leg hops with and without a knee sleeve. The segment angles and the response velocities of the thigh, shank, and foot were measured and calculated by using a motion analysis system. The phases between the segment angle and the velocity were then calculated. Moreover, the continuous relative phase (CRP) was calculated as the phase of the distal segment subtracted from the phase of the proximal segment and denoted as CRPTS (thigh–shank), CRPSF (shank–foot), and CRPTF (thigh–foot). The root mean square (RMS) values were used to evaluate the in-phase or out-of-phase states, while the standard deviation (SD) values were utilized to evaluate the variability in the stance and swing phases during level walking and in the preflight, flight, and landing phases during one-leg hopping. The walking velocity and the flight time improved when the knee sleeve was worn (p < 0.05). The segment angles of the thigh and shank also changed when the knee sleeve was worn during level walking and one-leg hopping. The RMS values of CRPTS and CRPSF in the stance phase and the RMS values of CRPSF in the preflight and landing phases changed (p < 0.05 in all cases). Moreover, the SD values of CRPTS in the landing phase and the SD values of CRPSF in the preflight and landing phases increased (p < 0.05 in all cases). These results indicated that wearing a knee sleeve caused changes in segment kinematics and coordination.

Assessment of forearm and plantar foot load in the elderly using a four-wheeled walker with armrest and the effect of armrest height

Background Patients with hand and/or wrist pathology are recommended to have a four-wheeled walker with an arm rest (FWW-AR) rather than a standard walker or a standard four-wheeled walker (FWW). However, only a few quantitative studies have been performed to compare upper and lower extremity weight bearing. The aim of this study was to evaluate forearm and foot weight bearing using a FWW-AR and the effect of the armrest height. Methods Eleven elderly women (mean age 80.1±5.3 years; mean height 148.5±4.0 cm; mean weight 51.2±9.0 kg) were enrolled. The subjects walked with an FWW-AR, with the elbow in either 90 degree (D90) or 130 degree (D130) flexion, for a distance of 10 m. Surface electromyographic signals were recorded for the upper, middle, and lower trapezius, anterior deltoid, and erector spinae muscles; walking velocity was measured with the subjects weight bearing on their feet and forearms while walking. Simultaneously, the maximum plantar and forearm loads during walking with an FWW-AR were measured. Results The normalized foot plantar loads were lower at D90 than at D130, while the normalized forearm load was higher at D90 than at D130 (all P<0.05; left foot, 7.9±0.1 N/kg versus 8.8±0.1 N/kg; right foot, 8.6±0.2 N/kg versus. 9.6±0.1 N/kg; left forearm, 1.8±0.5 N/kg versus 0.8±0.2 N/kg; and right forearm, 2.0±0.5 N/kg versus 1.0±0.2 N/kg, respectively). The surface electromyographic activity of the muscles involved in shoulder elevation and the walking velocity were both lower with the elbow at D90 than at D130 (all P<0.05; left upper trapezius, 98.7%±19.5% versus 132.6%±16.9%; right upper trapezius, 83.4%±10.6% versus 108.1%±10.5%; left anterior deltoid, 94.1%±12.8% versus 158.6%±40.4%; right anterior deltoid, 99.1%±15.0% versus 151.9%±19.4%; and velocity, 0.6±0.1 m/sec versus 0.7±0.1 m/sec, respectively). Conclusion Weight bearing on the lower extremities is significantly reduced when the upper extremities are supported during walking with an FWW-AR. Furthermore, the weight bearing profile is dependent on the armrest height.

Development of Fuzzy Control Method Powered Gait Orthosis for Paraplegic Patients

In this study, we would be developed the fuzzy controlled PGO that controlled the flexion and the extension of each PGO`s hip joint using the bio-signal and FSR sensor. The PGO driving system is to couple the right and left sides of the orthosis by specially designed hip joints and pelvic section. This driving system consists of the orthosis, sensor, control system. An air supply system of muscle is composed of an air compressor, 2-way solenoid valve (MAC, USA), accumulator, pressure sensor. Role of this system provide air muscle with the compressed air at hip joint constantly. According to output signal of EMG sensor and foot sensor, air muscles and assists the flexion of hip joint during PGO gait. As a results, the maximum hip flexion angles of RGO`s gait and PGO`s gait were about respectively. The maximum angle of flexion/extention in hip joint of the patients during RGO`s gait are smaller than normal gait, because of the step length of them shoes a little bit. But maximum angle of flexion/extention in hip joint of the patients during PGO`s gait are larger than normal gait.