SBIR Phase II: Compliant Nonlinear Quasi-Passive Orthotic Joint

SBIR 第二期：顺应性非线性准被动矫形关节

• 批准号: 1152605
• 负责人: John Rokosz
• 金额: $ 50万
• 依托单位: Adicep Technologies, Inc.
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Standard Grant
• 财政年份: 2012
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2012-03-01 至 2015-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=1152605&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SBIR; Phase; II; Compliant; Nonlinear

This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project aims to create a leg brace that addresses the underlying causes of mild/moderate walking dysfunction affecting 150 million people worldwide. Novel brace elements called Morphologically Switched Orthotic Joints combine field-adjustable, non-linear torsion springs with microprocessor controlled clutches to change the brace's mechanical state dynamically according to the user's gait. Internet updatable software, executing under a multi-processor, fault tolerant brace operating system, samples the brace's 40 sensors to monitor leg posture and activate clutch state transitions. Novel brace concepts include soft/flexible tissue interfaces that adapt to brace misalignment, a joint configuration that provides greater range of motion compared with existing braces, and a fitting scheme with potential for self-fitting capability. Three research objectives are planned: optimize the brace design for comfort level while minimizing interference with Activities of Daily Living (ADL); build/test five prototype braces; and conduct human subjects testing with disabled volunteers to assess brace safety and benefits. Primary biomechanical benefits include dynamically adapting to the user's leg strength to provide full support at all knee angles and reducing the total force across the knee joint by up to an order of magnitude during mobility activities. The broader impact/commercial potential of this project stems from creating a brace that offers biomechanical benefits that substantially surpass those of existing devices without interfering with non-mobile ADL. Anticipated benefits include: allowing Knee Osteoarthritis (KOA) patients to walk with less pain; improving walking/stair-descent safety; adapting to the user's preferred step-length/walking-speed; reducing the effort needed to walk; and allowing a full day of mobile ADL (including a 20-mile walk) on a single battery charge. This will have a transformative effect on the existing leg brace market (120K offloading braces/yr alone) and improve Quality-of-Life for as much as 40% of the world's population suffering mobility dysfunction. The benefit for KOA patients includes a new treatment alternative for multicompartmental or obese KOA patients or for patients who cannot have knee replacement surgery. The benefit for walking/stair-descent safety includes potential for reducing the incidence of falls. Falling accounts for two thirds of accidental deaths and is the leading cause of restricted activity days amongst America's elderly; persons with leg weakness have a four- to fivefold increased risk for falls; directly addressing leg weakness therefore has potential to increase longevity and reduce healthcare spending.

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）二期项目旨在创造一种腿部支架，解决影响全球1.5亿人的轻度/中度行走功能障碍的潜在原因。新型支架元件称为形态切换矫形关节，结合现场可调节的非线性扭转弹簧和微处理器控制的离合器，根据用户的步态动态改变支架的机械状态。互联网更新软件在多处理器、容错支架操作系统下运行，对支架上的40个传感器进行采样，以监测腿部姿势并激活离合器状态转换。新的支架概念包括适应支架错位的柔软/柔性组织界面，与现有支架相比提供更大运动范围的关节配置，以及具有自装配能力的装配方案。计划三个研究目标：优化支撑设计以达到舒适度，同时最大限度地减少对日常生活活动（ADL）的干扰；构建/测试五个原型支架；并对残疾志愿者进行人体测试，以评估支架的安全性和益处。主要的生物力学益处包括动态适应使用者的腿部力量，在所有膝关节角度提供完全支持，并在活动期间减少膝关节的总力，最多可达一个数量级。该项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力源于创造一种支架，它提供了大大超过现有设备的生物力学效益，而不会干扰非移动ADL。预期的好处包括：允许膝骨关节炎（KOA）患者行走时疼痛减轻；改善步行/下楼梯的安全；适应用户喜欢的步长/步行速度；减少走路所需的力气；并且可以在一次充电的情况下使用一整天的移动ADL（包括步行20英里）。这将对现有的腿部支架市场（仅每年就有12万支卸载支架）产生变革性影响，并改善世界上多达40%的行动不便人口的生活质量。对KOA患者的益处包括对多房室或肥胖KOA患者或不能进行膝关节置换手术的患者的新治疗选择。步行/下楼梯安全的好处包括可能减少跌倒的发生率。跌倒占意外死亡的三分之二，是美国老年人活动时间限制的主要原因；腿部无力的人跌倒的风险增加4到5倍；因此，直接解决腿部无力有可能延长寿命并减少医疗支出。