• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.17 no.10
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• pp.1021-1028
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• 2011

The objective of this paper is to optimize the design parameters of a novel mechanism for a robotic knee orthosis. The feature of the proposed knee othosis is to drive a knee joint with independent actuation during swing and stance phases, which can allow an actuator with fast rotation to control swing motions and an actuator with high torque to control stance motions, respectively. The quadriceps device operates in five-bar links with 2-DOF motions during swing phase and is changed to six-bar links during stance phase by the contact motion to the patella device. The hamstring device operates in a slider-crank mechanism for entire gait cycle. The suggested kinematic model will allow a robotic knee orthosis to use compact and light actuators with full support during walking. However, the proposed orthosis must use additional linkages than a simple four-bar mechanism. To maximize the benefit of reducing the actuators power by using the developed kinematic design, it is necessary to minimize total weight of the device, while keeping necessary actuator performances of torques and angular velocities for support. In this paper, we use a SGA (Simple Genetic Algorithm) to minimize sum of total link lengths and motor power by reducing the weight of the novel knee orthosis. To find feasible parameters, kinematic constraints of the hamstring and quadriceps mechanisms have been applied to the algorithm. The proposed optimization scheme could reduce sum of total link lengths to half of the initial value. The proposed optimization scheme can be applied to reduce total weight of general multi-linkages while keeping necessary actuator specifications.

• Transactions of the Korean Society of Mechanical Engineers B
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.125-133
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• 2017

This paper presents the inter-rater reliability of finger spasticity assessment tested realized by using finger simulator that mimics finger spasticity of patients after a stroke. For controlling the simulator torque, finger spasticity was modeled, and the model parameters were obtained by measuring quantitative data while grading based on Modified Ashworth Scale (MAS). A robotic finger simulator was designed for mimicking finger spasticity. Evaluation of this simulator with the help of seven rehabilitation doctors showed that the simulator had a Cohen's kappa value of 0.619 for Metacarpophalangeal Joint and 0.514 for Proximal Interphalangeal Joint. Fleiss' kappa between raters is 0.513 for Metacarpophalangeal Joint and 0.486 for Proximal Interphalangeal Joint. Therefore, the spasticity assessment made by MAS grade system is not reliable owing to the subjectivity of the assessment. The proposed robotic simulator can be used as a training tool for improving the reliability of the spasticity assessment.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.553-559
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• 2015

The purpose of this research is to develop a gait assistive device to enhance the gait stability and training efficiency of stroke patients. The configuration of this device is mainly composed of a motored wheel and a single cane whose lower end is attached to a motored wheel frame. A patient can feel haptic information from continuous ground contact from the wheel while walking through the grip handle. In addition, the wheeled cane can avoid using excessive use of the patient's upper limb for weight support and motivate the patient to use a paralyzed lower limb more actively. Moreover, the proposed device can provide intuitive and safe user interaction by integrating a force sensor and a tilt sensor equipped to the cane frame, and a switch sensor at the cane's handle. The admittance control has been implemented for the patient to change the walking speed intuitively by using the interaction forces at the handle. A hemi-paretic stroke patient participated in the walking assistive experiments as a pilot study to verify the effectiveness of the proposed haptic cane system. The results showed that the patient could improve walking speed and muscle activations during walking with a constant speed mode of the haptic cane. Moreover, the patient could maintain the preferred walking speeds and gait stability regardless of the magnitude of resistance forces with the admittance control mode of the haptic cane. The proposed robotic gait assistive device with a simple and intuitive mechanism can provide efficient gait training modes to stroke patients with high possibilities of widespread utilizations.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.106-112
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• 2017

Objective: Robot assisted gait training is implemented as part of therapy for the recovery of gait patterns in recent clinical fields, and the scope of implications are continuously increasing. However clear therapy protocols of robot assisted gait training are insufficent. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of robot-assisted gait training applied with guidance force on balance and gait performance in persons with hemiparetic stroke. Design: Two group pre-test post-test design. Methods: Nineteen persons were diagnosed with hemiparesis following stroke participated in this study. The participants were randomly assigned to the unilateral guidance group or bilateral guidance group to conduct robot-assisted gait training. All participants underwent robot-assisted gait training for twelve sessions (30 min/d, 3 d/wk for 4 weeks). They were assessed with gait parameters (gait velocity, cadence, step length, stance phase, and swing phase) using Optogait. This study also measured the dynamic gait index (DGI), the Berg balance scale (BBS) score, and timed up and go (TUG). Results: After training, BBS scores were was significantly increased in the bilateral training group than in the unilateral guidance group (p<0.05). Spatiotemporal parameters were significantly changed in the bilateral training group (gait speed, swing phase ratio, and stance phase ratio) compared to the unilateral training group (p<0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that robot-assisted gait training show feasibility in facilitating improvements in balance and gait performance for subacute hemiparetic stroke patients.

• The Journal of Korean Physical Therapy
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• v.33 no.5
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• pp.231-237
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• 2021

Purpose: This study sought to investigate the effects of robot-assisted gait training on balance in total hip arthroplasty (THA) patients after bilateral avascular necrosis (AVN). Methods: This case study in two patients utilized an 'A-B-A' single-subject experimental design that included five days of pre-intervention, followed by five days of intervention, and five days of post-intervention. The intervention involved the use of a standing inclined robot (R-bot) for 15 minutes. The outcome measures were evaluated using the Functional Reaching Test (FRT), Time Up to Go (TUG), and the Modified One Leg Standing Test (OLST). Results: Patient 1 showed improvement based on data gathered from baseline A to intervention period B, with results as follows: FRT improved from 27.7 cm to 41.28 cm, OLST LT from 14.03 seconds to 67.37 seconds, OLST RT from 2.94 seconds to 35.97 seconds, and TUG from 12.96 seconds to 7.82 seconds. Patient 2 also showed improvement from baseline A to intervention period B, with results as follows: FRT improved from 17.18 cm to 24.3 cm, OLST LT from 11.53 seconds to 52.01 seconds, OLST RT from 12.99 seconds to 62.19 seconds, and TUG from 27.31 seconds to 12.99 seconds. Conclusion: Based on the results of this study, robotic rehabilitation during the early stages after surgery is effective for promoting balance in patients who have undergone THA due to bilateral AVN.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.29 no.7
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• pp.730-736
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• 2012

Latest, many researchers do research on wearable robot. The purpose of the researches is very diverse, it will improve efficiency in the industry, taken to replace the many workers in the military field and taken to assist bodily functions run out by aging. However, there is no clear Differentiated strategy depending on the purpose for design and control of the wearable robot. Although a common purpose is to drive the robot by the sensor signal (intent signals), the optimization about the mechanism and control studies must be done according to the user's physical ability and purpose. In this study, the study's first phase for the development of wearable robotic gait rehabilitation, gait characteristics were analyzed elders and hemiplegia patients using a 3D gait analysis system (VICON512). As a result, asymmetric gait characteristics of the hemiplegia patients were found compared with the normal elderly.

• Proceedings of the Korean Institute of Information and Commucation Sciences Conference
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• 2011.05a
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• pp.77-80
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• 2011

Medical robot has four fields. Surgery assistant robot, robotic surgery, Surgery Simulator, rehabilitation robot. Thus, medical robots is often high precision and reliability requirements for operations are being developed. Medical service robot's another sector is care for service robots. Care services robot is the hospital's reception work and biometric data acquisition of patients, the hospital in location and content information provide to patients. But now medical service robot practical acceptance process failed to progress. In this paper were the medical service robot systems design and implementation. Implemented the robot system is using the standard protocols for the exchange of medical information and can be linked with hospital information system. The hospital's patient reception and processing, to provide care waiting number information.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.285-296
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• 2010

Robot-assisted illuminating equipment based on image-processing technology was developed and then its accuracy was measured. The current system was designed to detect facial appearance using a camera and to illuminate it using a robot-assisted system. It was composed of a motion control component, a light control component and an image-processing component. Images were captured with a camera and following their acquisition the images that showed motion change were extracted in accordance with the Adaboost algorithm. Following the detection experiment for the oral cavity of patients based on image-processing technology, a higher degree of the facial recognition was obtained from the frontal view and the light robot arm was stably controlled.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.523-529
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• 2021

Medical service robots are variously defined and classified by researchers and related government departments, but surgical robots and rehabilitation robots are commonly included in medical service robots, and except for these, the robots are classified as other medical service robots. In this study, domestic and foreign development trends and use cases were considered, focusing on logistics, guidance, and drug processing robots among other medical service robots. Logistics and guidance robots were developed quite a lot in Korea and completed a pilot project, or are being commercialized in hospitals, and exported. However, although the drug prcocessing robots was developed in Korea, the robot being use in the hospital was an imported. In order to expand and activate the robot market, systematic follow-up studies such as demand prediction studies are needed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.65-73
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• 2022

PURPOSE: The present research examined the effects of progressive robot-assisted step training on the strength of the lower extremity and gait speed of an individual with stroke through changes between the baseline and the intervention stage (1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months). METHODS: A single-subject (A-B) design was performed for a chronic stroke patient aged 70 years old. The robot-assisted step training was conducted three times a week during 12 months (40 minutes/session), and the assessment was conducted a total of seven times between the baseline and the intervention (No. 1, 3, 6, 9, and 12 months) to determine the effect of the intervention. RESULTS: As a result of the intervention, the muscle strength at the lower extremity of the paralysis side increased by the greatest extent 12 months after the intervention compared to the baseline, and the gait speed via the 10-meter walk test was increased as well. CONCLUSION: Long-term robot-assisted step training might be an effective intervention for improving the strength of the paretic lower extremity muscles and gait speed in stroke patients with difficulty walking independently. Further studies with sufficient sample sizes and a randomized control group will be needed to evaluate the long-term effects of robotic stepping rehabilitation.