Simulation-guided design of wearable assistive devices for improving human mobility

用于改善人体活动能力的可穿戴辅助设备的仿真引导设计

• 批准号: RGPIN-2019-05726
• 负责人: Uchida, Thomas
• 金额: $ 1.97万
• 依托单位: University of Ottawa
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2020-01-01 至 2021-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=715766
• 关键词: Simulation; guided; design; wearable; assistive

Wearable assistive devices can prevent injury, improve recovery, and enhance athletic performance. Several orthotic and prosthetic devices have been proposed, including exoskeletons comprising a rigid structure actuated by motors and “exosuits” comprising functional apparel equipped with tensioned cables. These devices may be portable (either unpowered or battery powered) or tethered to external equipment. Some devices are large, weight-bearing machines that transmit forces directly to the ground; others resemble form-fitting clothing. To date, wearable assistive devices have been developed primarily using experiments, but measurements alone provide little insight into the underlying mechanisms that determine a device's effectiveness. Understanding and predicting interactions between mechatronic devices and the body's neural, muscular, and skeletal systems is challenging: even ostensibly simple movements like walking are incredibly complex, involving precise coordination of dozens of muscles. Simulations help us understand human movement by providing biomechanical explanations for experimental observations, such as why ankle muscles are affected by an exoskeleton worn at the hip, and optimizations can accelerate development of assistive devices by enabling rapid exploration of proposed designs. Currently, the muscle-level effects of many devices are poorly understood: we lack the necessary analytical and predictive tools. This research will deepen our understanding of device-assisted movement through development, application, and dissemination of new methods and computational tools. We will develop methods for studying humandevice interactions, such as the effect of gait adaptation on device performance, and will use these methods to simulate wearable assistive devices for patient populations. We will also develop new methods for obtaining high-quality estimates of skeletal kinematics from inertial measurement units, enabling analysis of device-assisted movement in natural environments. Our computational tools will be implemented and broadly disseminated in open-source software for immediate adoption by researchers, clinicians, roboticists, and others engaged in this rapidly developing field. The applications of this research are numerous and profound. Regular physical activity helps prevent hypertension, depression, and other serious illnesses. It is critical to advance our understanding of human movement and eliminate barriers to exercise for the millions of Canadian adults suffering from limited mobility. Wearable assistive devices have the potential to restore function to individuals with osteoarthritis, accelerate rehabilitation through continuous at-home monitoring, and protect us from injury. These devices are poised to replace walkers and wheelchairs, crutches and canes, improving the quality of life for individuals with limited mobility and extending the “healthspan” of older adults. Let's keep moving!

穿戴式辅助设备可以防止受伤，改善恢复，提高运动成绩。已经提出了几种矫正和假体装置，包括外骨骼和“外装服”，外骨骼包括由马达致动的刚性结构，“外装服”包括配备有张紧线缆的功能性服装。这些设备可以是便携式的（无电源或电池供电）或连接到外部设备。有些设备是大型的承重机器，直接将力传递到地面;另一些类似于合身的衣服。 迄今为止，可穿戴辅助设备主要是通过实验开发的，但仅凭测量无法深入了解决定设备有效性的潜在机制。理解和预测机电设备与人体神经、肌肉和骨骼系统之间的相互作用具有挑战性：即使是像走路这样表面上简单的运动也非常复杂，涉及数十块肌肉的精确协调。 模拟通过为实验观察提供生物力学解释来帮助我们理解人类运动，例如为什么踝关节肌肉会受到髋关节外骨骼的影响，优化可以通过快速探索拟议设计来加速辅助设备的开发。目前，人们对许多设备的肌肉水平影响知之甚少：我们缺乏必要的分析和预测工具。 这项研究将通过开发，应用和传播新的方法和计算工具来加深我们对设备辅助运动的理解。我们将开发用于研究人机交互的方法，例如步态适应对设备性能的影响，并将使用这些方法来模拟患者人群的可穿戴辅助设备。我们还将开发新的方法，从惯性测量单元获得高质量的骨骼运动学估计，从而能够分析自然环境中的设备辅助运动。我们的计算工具将以开源软件的形式实现和广泛传播，供研究人员、临床医生、机器人专家和其他从事这一快速发展领域的人员立即采用。 这项研究的应用是众多而深刻的。经常锻炼身体有助于预防高血压、抑郁症和其他严重疾病。至关重要的是，要提高我们对人类运动的理解，消除数百万行动不便的加拿大成年人的运动障碍。可穿戴辅助设备有可能恢复骨关节炎患者的功能，通过持续的家庭监测加速康复，并保护我们免受伤害。这些设备有望取代助行器、轮椅、拐杖和手杖，提高行动不便者的生活质量，延长老年人的“健康寿命”。我们继续走！