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: 2022
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2022-01-01 至 2023-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=760104
• 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 万加拿大人患有行动障碍，限制了他们的日常活动，并且随着人口老龄化，这一数字还在增加。同样的老龄化人口也希望维持他们的生活质量。然而，目前可用的可穿戴下肢辅助装置仅考虑残疾或截肢的位置、解剖结构和舒适度，而很少考虑动态性能。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、半主动甚至机器人设备也正在开发中，但这些需要额外的元件，导致设备笨重、难看，从而产生负面影响关于采用、合规性，甚至舒适度。最近的研究表明，如果动态调整设备本身的属性，则可以使用无源设备在日常使用过程中通过共振或周期同步等效应来增强移动性。这可以通过与真实用户一起表征可穿戴辅助设备在真实负载条件下的动态特性、检查这些设备所用的材料特性和制造工艺并修改其几何形状以实现所需的动态响应来实现。因此，该研究计划的总体目标是开发薄型、轻量级的被动和半被动智能可穿戴辅助设备，根据为个人定制的材料和几何参数来增强移动性。拟议的计划将重点关注三个方面的调查以实现这一目标。首先是开发和验证一组关键指标，用于评估当前下肢可穿戴辅助设备的动态和振动特性，利用这些指标开发基于替代下肢的实验平台，并评估这些设备的性能真实用户在真实负载条件下的辅助设备。第二个目标是研究目前用于可穿戴辅助设备的材料如何影响其动态性能，并研究可能具有有益特性的替代、先进和智能材料。还将探讨辅助设备制造工艺如何影响这些材料特性及其与设备动态响应的关系。最后，将研究修改这些辅助装置的几何形状以利用特别有益的材料特性或减少有害影响，同时考虑到个体动态要求的方法。该项目将为 HQP 进行机械和生物力学设计、建模和分析方面的培训提供现代化且多样化的环境。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将为 HQP 提供丰富且高度专业化的经验。