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2 results on '"robotic walking aid"'

1. Development and Clinical Evaluation of a Posterior Active Walker for Disabled Children.

Author

Ragaja, S. R., Dinesh, N. S., Madhuri, Vrisha, and Parameswaran, Apurve

Abstract

This paper presents a novel posterior active walker designed for disabled children. The active walker adapts an existing posterior passive walker by motorising its back wheels and propelling them in accordance with intention of walking gait of the user. The gait intention of the user is determined from the position of user's trunk with respect to the walker frame using an array of sensors. The principle of working of the active walker is explained in this paper. A mathematical model for the active walker is developed and the same has been simulated for a control algorithm developed, which controls the walker in different possible conditions to achieve a comfortable and efficient propulsion. The simulation results present performance of the active walker. The walker has been practically implemented and the details of the same have been presented. The experimental functional evaluation of the walker has been done in the lab which matches the simulation result. Later the developed walker was assessed for its ability to track the user. Three healthy children are made to walk with the active walker on different surfaces and the test results show that the walker is able to effectively track the children. The developed walker was subjected to clinical evaluation which involved ten disabled children who were prescribed use of walker. Clinical study involved relative evaluation of effectiveness of passive and the active walkers. It was concluded from the clinical trials that the use of the developed active walker significantly reduces the energy spent by the user compared to the conventional passive walker. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Published
2020
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2. Applicability of a new robotic walking aid in a patient with cerebral palsy. Case report

Author

Smania, N., Gandolfi, M., Marconi, V., Calanca, A., Geroin, C., Piazza, S., Bonetti, P., Fiorini, P., Cosentino, A., Capelli, C., Conte, D., Bendinelli, M., Munari, D., Ianes, P., Fiaschi, A., and Alessandro Picelli

Subjects
Male, cerebral palsy, Equipment Design, Robotics, Walking, Self-Help Devices, Walkers, Exercise Therapy, rehabilitation, children, Humans, robotic walking aid, Gait training, Child, Gait, Follow-Up Studies
Abstract

Gait training with the help of assistive technological devices is an innovative field of research in neurological rehabilitation. Most of the available gait training devices do not allow free movement in the environment, which would be the most suitable natural and motivating condition for training children with neurological gait impairment.To evaluate the potential applicability of a new robotic walking aid as a tool for gait training in non-ambulatory children with Cerebral Palsy.Single case studyOutpatient regimenA 11-years-old child unable to stand and walk independently as a result of spastic tetraplegic cerebral palsy (CP).The experimental device was a newly actuated version of a dynamic combined walking and standing aid (NF-Walker®) available in the market which was modified by means of two pneumatic artificial muscles driven by a foot-switch inserted in the shoes. The child was tested at baseline (while maintaining the standing position aided by the non-actuated NF-Walker®) and in the experimental condition (while using the actuated robotic aid). The outcome measures were: 2-minute walking test, 10-metre walking test, respiratory and heart parameters, energy cost of locomotion.At baseline, the child was unable to perform any autonomous form of locomotion. When assisted by the actuated aid (i.e. during the experimental condition), the child was successful in moving around in his environment. His performance was 19.63 m in the 2-minute walking test and 64 s in the 10-metre walking test. Respiratory and heart parameters were higher than healthy age-matched children both at baseline and in the experimental condition. The energy cost of gait, which was not valuable in the baseline condition, was significantly higher than normality during the experimental condition.The new robotic walking aid may help children suffering from CP with severe impairment of gait to move around in their environment.This new robotic walking device may have a potential impact in stimulating the development and in training of gait in children with neurological gait impairment. Future studies are warranted in order to test this hypothesis.

Published
2012

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