• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.25 no.8
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• pp.104-110
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• 2008

The aim of this study ultimately is verifying that PGO gait is more efficient than RGO fur paraplegics because the air muscle assists hip flexion power in heel off movement. The gait characteristics of the paraplegic wearing the PGO or RGO are compared with that of a normal person. PGO with air muscles was used to analyze the walking of patients with lower-limb paralysis, and the results showed that the hip joint flexion and pelvic tilt angle decreased in PGO. In comparison to RGO gait, which is propelled by the movements of the back, PGO uses air muscles, which decreases the movement in the upper limb from a stance phase rate of 79$\pm$4%(RGO) to 68$\pm$8%. The energy consumption rate was 8.65$\pm$3.3 (ml/min/Kg) for RGO, while it decreased to 7.21t2.5(ml/min/Kg) for PGO. The results from this study show that PGO decreases energy consumption while providing support for patients with lower-limb paralysis, and it is helpful in walking for extended times.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.16 no.9
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• pp.823-826
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• 2010

In this study, the control method of assistive robot was developed for the elderly. The control method of gait-assistant-robot was proposed considering the change of COP (Center of Pelves), BOS (Base of Support) and comparative analysis of the moving velocity for the elderly. We analyzed the movement of COP of the body and its velocity of the elderly equipped with manual walker and gait-assistant-robot. As a result, change in COP was greater from left to right than from anterior to posterior; also, the average velocity of the movement of COP and manual walker for manual walker gait was 0.7(m/s). Therefore, it is necessary to concern more on the left-right balance and synchronization of the velocity of COP.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.28 no.9
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• pp.1110-1118
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• 2011

The recent power add-on drive wheelchairs (PADWs) provide greater physical activity and easier transportability and may be an excellent alternative for the typical manual and powered wheelchairs. The driving system consists of a motor and a motor driver is the most important component of the PADW In this paper, design, implementation, and testing of a driving system for a PADW are presented. To design the output power and torque for the driving system, the equation of motion has been investigated. The motor and driver were fabricated with precise machining and assembled to implement our prototype driving system. The dynamometer test has been carried out using the prototype in order to examine the torque of the system. The experimental results demonstrates that the designed driving system can provide enough output power and efficiency for utilization in a PADW.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.142-149
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• 2009

The aim of this study was to identify both the mechanical and reflex properties associated with spasticity in hemiplegic patients. Ten hemiplegic patients were included in this study. Multiple pendulum tests were executed for each subject, and knee joint angle and EMG of Rectus Femoris muscle were measured. The neuromusculoskeletal system model was developed from generally accepted mechanism and identified through minimization of the error in the model-predicted pendulum trajectories. The identification was successful in terms of small error in simulated kinematics and high sensitivity and precision of simulated torque against EMG activity. The reflex threshold showed significant difference between different clinical scores (p<0.01) and significant negative correlation (r=-0.93) with the EMG duration. It is expected that the suggested method may help in understanding mechanisms underlying spasticity.

• Proceedings of the KOSOMBE Conference
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• v.1997 no.05
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• pp.253-256
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• 1997

KESF-1 foot conceptually provides storage of potential energy and is converted to kinetic energy throughout the weight - bearing phase of the gait cycle. This stored energy is progressively released as the foot continues through the toe-off phase to rebound and propel the body forward. A weight deflects the keel through a predetermined range, then the keel "springs back" as weight is removed. Foot designs criteria were selected to guide development beyond the proof-of concept composite material keels; 1) store and return energy (1-3/4 " metatarsal deflection at 435 pounds vertical load), 2) natural feel and stability; 3) useful life of 3-years: 4) lightweight; 5) reduced production costs. The purpose of this study is developed the comfortable stable foot that fitted with Korean lifestyle and road condition. The results produced the realistic cosmetic foot cover with polyurethane form and the keel composed with composite materials of both glass fiber and carbon fiber.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.41-49
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• 2005

Electromyogram (EMG) signal generated by voluntary contraction of muscles is often used in rehabilitation devices because of its distinct output characteristics compared to other bio-signals. This paper proposes a novel EMG-based human-computer interface for electric-powered wheelchair users with motor disabilities by C4 or C5 spine cord injury. User's commands to control the electric-powered wheelchair are represented by shoulder elevation motions, which are recognized by comparing EMG signals acquired from the levator scapulae muscles with a preset double threshold value. The interface commands for controlling the electric-powered wheelchair consist of combinations of left-, right- and both-shoulders elevation motions. To achieve a real-time interface, we implement an EMG processing hardware composed of analog amplifiers, filters, a mean absolute value circuit and a high-speed microprocessor. The experimental results using an implemented real-time hardware and an electric-powered wheelchair showed that the EMG-based human-computer interface is feasible for the users with severe motor disabilities.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.28 no.8
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• pp.992-999
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• 2011

The recent power add-on drive wheelchairs (PADWs) provide greater physical activity, are easier to transport, and may be an excellent alternative for the typical manual or electric wheelchairs. The development of in-wheel motor for a PADW is the principal issues. In this paper, design, implementation, and testing of the permanent magnet synchronous motor (PMSM) for a PADW are presented. To design output power and torque of the motor, the equation of motion has been investigated. The design parameters were calculated and the dimension and shape of the motor which was limited by the In-wheel mechanism of the PADW were done by applying FEM and optimal design technique. The prototype of the motor mentioned above was fabricated with precise machining and assembling. Then the motor tested on dynamometer and the measured results of the motor were verified by comparing the design results. The fabricated motor was 80 mm in length with a diameter of 110 mm and small enough to be attached the driving unit of the PADW.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.26 no.10
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• pp.116-121
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• 2009

It is important to consider lumbar lordotic angle for setup of training program in field of sports and rehabilitaton to prevent unexpected posture deviation and back pain. The purpose of this study was to analyze the biomechanical impact of the level of lumbar lordosis angle during isokinetic exercise through dynamic analysis using a 3-dimensional musculoskeletal model. We made each models for normal lordosis, excessive lordosis, lumbar kyphosis, and hypo-lordosis according to lordotic angle and inputted experimental data as initial values to perform inverse dynamic analysis. Comparing the joint torques, the largest torque of excessive lordosis was 16.6% larger and lumbar kyphosis was 11.7% less than normal lordosis. There existed no significant difference in the compressive intervertebral forces of each lumbar joint (p>0.05), but statistically significant difference in the anterioposterior shear force (p<0.05). For system energy lumbar kyphosis required the least and most energy during flexion and extension respectively. Therefore during the rehabilitation process, more efficient training will be possible by taking into consideration not simply weight and height but biomechanical effects on the skeletal muscle system according to lumbar lordosis angles.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.23-28
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• 2010

Case of patients with weakness in cardiopulmonary system, other ambulatory function is normal, but oxygen supply function is problem. So they need reduce energy consumption for gait by assistance system. In this study, we designed and developed walking assistant device which helps flexion and extension of hip joint for cardiopulmonary patients. There are two motors, each at the left and right side of pelvis, providing torque to the hip joint. The target angle of the flexion and extension in the hip joint is set according to the normal gait. As a result, reduction of energy consumption was 14.8% by gait assistive device.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.163-168
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• 2009

In this study, we would be developed the fuzzy controlled PGO that controlled the flexion and the extension of each PGO's hip joint using the bio-signal and FSR sensor. The PGO driving system is to couple the right and left sides of the orthosis by specially designed hip joints and pelvic section. This driving system consists of the orthosis, sensor, control system. An air supply system of muscle is composed of an air compressor, 2-way solenoid valve (MAC, USA), accumulator, pressure sensor. Role of this system provide air muscle with the compressed air at hip joint constantly. According to output signal of EMG sensor and foot sensor, air muscles and assists the flexion of hip joint during PGO gait. As a results, the maximum hip flexion angles of RGO's gait and PGO's gait were about $16^{\circ}\;and\;57^{\circ}$ respectively. The maximum angle of flexion/extention in hip joint of the patients during RGO's gait are smaller than normal gait, because of the step length of them shoes a little bit. But maximum angle of flexion/extention in hip joint of the patients during PGO's gait are larger than normal gait.