An experimental device for investigating the force and power requirements of a powered gait orthosis

• Published in: Journal of rehabilitation research and development Vol. 34; no. 2; pp. 203 - 213
• Main Authors: RUTHENBERG, B. J, WASYLEWSKI, N. A, BEARD, J. E
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Baltimore, MD Rehabilitation Research and Development Service 01.04.1997; Superintendent of Documents
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Biophysical Phenomena; Biophysics; Blood Pressure; Gait; Handicapped people; Hip Joint - physiology; Humans; Locomotion - physiology; Medical sciences; Orthotic Devices; Prostheses; R&D; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Research & development; Technology. Biomaterials. Equipments. Material. Instrumentation; Walking; Human; Measurement; Biomedical equipment; Nervous system diseases; Orthosis; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Motive force; Metabolism; Physical rehabilitation; Displacement; Physical handicap; Result; Walking; Diseases of the autonomic nervous system; Clinical investigation
• ISSN: 0748-7711; 1938-1352

The Powered Gait Orthosis (PGO) is a powered exoskeleton developed as an experimental device to provide bipedal locomotion to individuals with physical impairment. The current prototype consists of a single degree of freedom (DOF) system for each leg, providing power and proper displacement required for bipedal locomotion. It is the goal of this research to obtain the forces that are present in the device while it is in normal operation. In addition, the time ratio of the hip function generator has been varied to determine the effect that different time ratios have on system forces and required user energy. The time ratio is the relationship between the time period that the thigh is in swing phase and when it is in support phase. Knowing the forces in the system and the optimal time ratio will allow for the design and construction of a feasible device for the rehabilitation and assistance of individuals who have lost the ability to walk.