Prototype Design of a Wearable Metal Hydride Actuator Using a Soft Bellows for Motor Rehabilitation

被引：2

作者：

Ino, Shuichi ^{[1
]}

Sato, Mitsuru ^{[2
]}

Hosono, Minako ^{[1
]}

Nakajima, Sawako ^{[3
]}

Yamashita, Kazuhiko ^{[4
]}

Tanaka, Toshiaki ^{[1
]}

Izumi, Takashi ^{[5
]}

机构：

[1] Univ Tokyo, Adv Sci & Technol Res Ctr, Tokyo 1538904, Japan

[2] Showa Univ, Sch Nursing & Rehabil Sci, Yokohama, Kanagawa 2268555, Japan

[3] Keio Univ, Tsukigase Rehabil Ctr, Izumo, Shimane 4103215, Japan

[4] Tokyo Healthcare Univ, Fac Healthcare, Tokyo 1548568, Japan

[5] Tokai Univ, Sch Biol Sci & Engn, Sapporo, Hokkaido 0058601, Japan

来源：

2008 30TH ANNUAL INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE OF THE IEEE ENGINEERING IN MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY SOCIETY, VOLS 1-8 | 2008年

关键词：

D O I：

10.1109/IEMBS.2008.4649948

中图分类号：

R318 [生物医学工程];

学科分类号：

0831 ;

摘要：

A bedside and home rehabilitation system for people with motor disabilities due to stroke or the aging process requires a human-compatible actuator with softness, low noise and a high power-to-weight ratio. To achieve these types of joint motor rehabilitation systems, we designed a wearable metal hydride (MH) actuator using a soft bellows. The purpose of the current study is the development the soft and light bellows made of a polymer laminate film for the MH actuator. As a result of experimental tests, this soft bellows weighs 20 times less and stretches 30 times longer than the metal bellows used in a conventional MH actuator, and it has hydrogen impermeability, flex durability and adequate compliance for human joints. The MH actuator using the soft bellows can drive at a slow and safe enough speed for motor rehabilitation of patients' limbs. These preliminary findings support the efficacy of an MH actuator with a soft bellows for the purpose of developing a system for motor rehabilitation or human power assist.

引用

页码：3451 / +

页数：2

共 4 条

[1] TIME-VARYING STIFFNESS OF HUMAN ELBOW JOINT DURING CYCLIC VOLUNTARY MOVEMENT [J].