Dynamically Enhanced Passive and Semi-Passive Intelligent Lower Limb Wearable Assistive Devices

动态增强型被动和半被动智能下肢可穿戴辅助设备

• 批准号: RGPIN-2020-06303
• 负责人: Dumond, Patrick
• 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=718293
• 关键词: Dynamically; Enhanced; Passive; Semi; Intelligent

2 million Canadians suffer from a mobility disorder that limits their daily activities and this number is increasing as the population ages. This same aging population expects to maintain their quality of life. However, currently available wearable lower limb assistive devices only consider the location of the disability or amputation, its anatomy, and comfort with little regard for dynamic performance. Active, semi-active, or even robotic devices using electric, hydraulic, or pneumatic actuators coupled with wearable sensors and intelligent algorithms are also being developed, but these require additional elements that lead to bulky, heavy, and unsightly devices that have a negative impact on adoption, compliance, and even comfort. Recent studies have shown that passive devices can be used to enhance mobility via effects such as resonance or cycle synchronization during daily use if properties of the device itself are dynamically tuned. This can be achieved by characterizing the dynamic properties of wearable assistive devices under real loading conditions, with real users, examining the material properties and fabrication processes used for these devices and modifying their geometry to achieve the required dynamic response. Thus, the overarching goal of the research program is to develop low-profile and lightweight passive and semi-passive intelligent wearable assistive devices that enhance mobility based on material and geometric parameters customized to the individual. The proposed program will focus on three lines of enquiry towards achieving this goal. The first will be to develop and validate a set of key metrics for the evaluation of the dynamic and vibration properties of current lower limb wearable assistive devices, use these metrics to develop an experimental platform based on surrogate lower limbs, and evaluate the performance of these assistive devices under real loading conditions, with real users. The second will be to study how materials currently used for wearable assistive devices affect their dynamic performance and examine alternative, advanced, and smart materials that may present beneficial properties. How assistive device manufacturing processes affect these material properties and their relationship to the device's dynamic response will also be explored. Finally, methods for modifying the geometry of these assistive devices to take advantage of particularly beneficial material properties or reduce detrimental effects, while accounting for individual dynamic requirements will be investigated. This program will provide a modern and diverse environment for training HQP in mechanical and biomechanical design, modelling and analysis. Access to world-class facilities, health care professionals and users at the University of Ottawa and the Ottawa Hospital will provide HQP with an enriched and highly specialized experience.

200万加拿大人患有一种限制其日常活动的流动障碍，随着人口年龄的增长，这一数字正在增加。同样的老龄化人口期望维持其生活质量。但是，目前可用的可穿戴下肢辅助设备仅考虑残疾或截肢的位置，解剖结构以及舒适性，几乎不考虑动态性能。还开发了使用电动，液压或气动执行器以及可穿戴传感器和智能算法的主动，半活性或什至机器人设备，但是这些需要额外的元素，这些元素会导致笨重，沉重且难看的设备，这些设备对采用，合规性和舒适性以及舒适性和舒适性产生负面影响。最近的研究表明，如果设备本身的特性是动态调节的，则可以使用被动设备通过共共鸣或周期同步等效应来增强迁移率。 这可以通过表征在实际加载条件下的可穿戴辅助设备的动态属性来实现，并使用真实用户检查这些设备的材料属性和制造过程，并修改其几何形状以实现所需的动态响应。因此，研究计划的总体目标是开发低调和轻巧的被动和半及半稳定的智能可穿戴辅助设备，以根据对个人定制的材料和几何参数来增强移动性。 拟议的计划将集中于实现这一目标的三条探究线。首先是开发和验证一组关键指标，以评估当前下肢可穿戴辅助设备的动态和振动特性，使用这些指标来开发基于替代下肢的实验平台，并评估这些辅助设备在实际载荷条件下的性能以及实际使用者。第二个是研究当前用于可穿戴辅助设备的材料如何影响其动态性能，并检查可能具有有益特性的替代，高级和智能材料。还将探索辅助设备制造过程如何影响这些材料特性及其与设备动态响应的关系。最后，将研究这些辅助设备的几何形状，以利用特别有益的材料特性或减少有害效果，同时研究个人动态需求。 该计划将为培训机械和生物力学设计，建模和分析的HQP提供现代而多样化的环境。获得渥太华大学和渥太华医院的世界一流设施，医疗保健专业人员和用户的访问权限将为HQP提供丰富且高度专业化的体验。