• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
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• v.23 no.57
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• pp.77-85
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• 2000

The purpose of this study is to analyze problems of KS measurement of the wheelchair and a pair of crutches and to propose proper measurements of the wheelchair and a pair of crutches for the posteriori handicapped. Research method is as following ; First, it is compared that Anthropometry of Korean and Japanese adults relevance with design measurement of the wheelchair and a pair of crutches. Second, we compared measurements of KS wheelchairs with measurements of the wheelchair manufactured by the T aids company and the D aids company, and then compared and analyzed differences of measurements about each part of the wheelchair. Third, we compared measurements of a pair of crutches of an fixed and an elastic type with anthropometry and analysis. The result, measurements of KS wheelchair and KS a pair of crutches shows unsuitable to Korean adults. It may cause handicapped. We proposed measurements of the aids(the wheelchair and a pair of crutches) proper to the handicapped of Korean adults with improvement of these problems.

• Design Convergence Study
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.243-253
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• 2016

In this study, crutch and crutch gait for the handicapped in the lower extremity were discussed, and the study was conducted as a part of long-term research that suggests a practical solution for a crutch design. Three axillary crutches were evaluated in the study by a set of design guidelines for crutches delivered from the advanced research. In this comparative study with axillary crutch design variations, 31 healthy subjects were participated and three crutches were evaluated by ten guidelines. The result showed that Mobilegs-ultra and In-motion Pro were significantly greater than KM Crutch. However, no statistically significant difference was found between Mobilegs-ultra and In-motion Pro. While analyzing with guidelines, Mobilegs-ultra and In-motion Pro were significantly greater than KM Crutch for 6-guideline, but no significant difference was found among three crutches for the guidelines related with Lightweight and Economical feasibility and marketability. The result of the study is expected to be used for a solid foundation to evaluate for the reasonableness of the guidelines with comprehensive analysis for crutch gait evaluation in the further study.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.103-108
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• 2008

The aim of this paper is to improve the design of a pair of axilla crutches through quality function deployment(QFD) and discomfort experiments. User needs for the crutches, as well as the engineering characteristics which have influence on the ergonomic quality of crutches were determined from the interview with many users. This information was entered in the house of quality, and the results show that the axillary pad and grip are the most important quality factors. And the results from the discomfort experiments confirmed the QFD output. A prototype reflecting the QFD results was proposed. The present study demonstrated how QFD approach can be a methodological tool geared to greater ergonomics consideration in product design.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.179-186
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• 1990

A numerical analysis of crutch walking cycle has been performed to determine the transmissibility of a single-degree-of-freedom crutch system when a non-harmonic periodic forcing function is acting on the spring-damping-mass system. The results indicate that the damping factor which can reduce the forces transmitted to the human body plays an important role. In crutch walking, the stride angle of dynamic crutches must be limited for the comfortable walking.

• Design Convergence Study
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.157-169
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• 2015

In this study, three axillary crutches(Mobilegs, KM crutch, Pro In-motion) were tested with 12 healthy male subjects by measuring the EMG activity of the latissimus dorsi and gastrocnemius and the user-perceived levels focusing on the comfort and ease of use. The result showed that the EMG activity of the gastrocnemius was significantly reduced during ambulation using Mobilegs and Pro In-motion compared with the ambulation using KM crutch, a conventional crutch. However, no statistically significant difference was found for EMG activity of the latissimus dorsi. Subjects perceived the Mobilegs to be more comfortable and easy to use than the other crutches. Theses result may delivered mostly from the characteristics of spring-loaded axillary pad and ergonomic crutch handle. The results indicate that ambulation using the spring-loaded crutch is much easy with asking less exertion at gastrocnemius. In addition, the characteristics of crutch design, such as embedded spring, makes muscles to consume less energy. When the reasonable structure and form of the axillary pad and crutch handle are applied herein, the ambulation using the crutches are perceived to comfort.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.207-214
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate effect of feedback methods and ambulatory assistive aids on accuracy of partial weight bearing in healthy adults. Twenty subjects were recruited and trained to 30% weight bearing of body weight (BW) using 3-point gait crutches and wheeled walker pattern. Dynamic feedback group (n=11) was received dynamic postresponse feedback and static group (n=9) received static feedback. Force plate was used to measure %BW and GAITRite used to measure gait parameters in immediately and after 3 days of training. Immediately after training, there was not significantly at 30%BW target load in dynamic group with crutch gait (p>.05). There were significantly differences in %BW according to feedback methods and ambulatory aids (p<.05). There was not significant difference between immediately and after 3 days of training (p>0.05). There were significantly differences in gait velocity and stance ratio between crutches and wheeled walker gait (p<.05). Thus, it was suggested that if possible, use crutches, training for partial weight bearing via dynamic feedback is necessary.

• Design Convergence Study
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.55-70
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• 2018

This study was conducted as a part of long-term project on the development of a set of design guidelines for a crutch as mobility aids for the handicapped in the lower extremity and the suggestion a practical solution for a crutch design. The purpose of this study is to develop a design of a crutch and a set of prototypes that reflects the characteristics of crutch-gait and has a realistic possibility for mass production-based industry. TOGO, a axillary crutch as the result of this study, shows a number of characteristics distinguished from ordinary crutches. These are (1)Minimize the shock associated with planting of the crutch tips by improving the form and structure of crutch tip and axillary pad, (2)Ergonomically designed crutch in accordance with users' body movement while walking on crutches, (3)Easy length control to maximize mobility and maneuverability by changing the cross section of the crutch revolutionary, (4)Minimize possibilities of safety hazards, and (5)Attractive shape of the crutch to keep user self-esteem. The revolutionary crutch derived from this study results has been patented, and the company is seeking to mass-produce and find ways to commercialize it after reviewing the potential problems that may arise in the mass production environment.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.133-139
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• 2014

This paper proposes a wearable and motorized crutch control system for the patients using the conventional crutches. The conventional crutches have a few disadvantages such as the inconvenience caused by the direct contact between the ground and the armpit of the patients, and unstable gait patterns. In order to resolve these problems, the motorized crutch is designed as a wearable type on an injured lower limb. In other words, the crutch makes the lower limb to be moved forward while supporting the body weight, protecting the lower limb with frames, and rotating a roller equipped on the bottom of the frames. Also the crutch is controlled using the electromyography and two force sensing resistor (FSR) sensors. The electromyography is used to extract the walking intention from the patient and the FSR sensors to classify the stance and swing phases while walking. As a result, the developed crutch makes the patients walk enabling both hands to be free, as if normal people do.

• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.270-274
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• 2020

This study aimed to show the effects of Korean medicine treatment (particularly bee-venom pharmacopunture) on a patient with brachial plexus palsy. A 64-year-old woman was diagnosed with brachial plexus palsy on the right upper extremity and was treated with Korean and Western medicine from September 30^th to November 6^th, 2019. Improvement of the patient's symptoms was evaluated using the Manual Muscle Test, Range of Motion and visual analogue scale. After treatment, the patient's Manual Muscle Test grade and Range of Motion were improved, and the Visual Analogue Scale score indicated the intensity of her right hand numbness had decreased. These results suggested that improper use of crutches can result in brachial plexus palsy and a Korean-Western medicine treatment regimen primarily focused on bee-venom pharmacopunture, may be effective in reducing the symptoms of brachial plexus palsy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Safety
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.121-127
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• 2017

Recently, many patients in a hospital are threatened life by fire disaster. Because many patients like vulnerable people have more evacuation problem than ordinary person. So a patient who can escape by oneself with walking assistance device like crutches or wheelchair and another patient who can't escape by oneself are should be supported safety technologies and service. Earlier research of 'hospital evacuation' led by actual experiments or computer evacuation simulation. Actual experiment is effective to gain credibility of result but it is difficult for patients to experiment repeatedly and it requires consideration for spatial problem and economic problems. Although computer evacuation simulation have been used to solve these problems, almost have concluded only results based on velocity without evacuation device. In this study, evacuation results with support device application or not are analysed used by computer evacuation simulation based on MAS(Multi Agent System). As a result, it is drawn through proof of efficiency of evacuation device in the vertical space like stairs that can improve the evacuation plan for vulnerable people in the hospital.