• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
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• v.26 no.7
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• pp.134-141
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• 2009

Recently, many researchers have tried to develop wearable robots for various fields such as medical and military purposes. We have been studying robotic exoskeletons to assist the motion of persons who have problems with their muscle function in daily activities and rehabilitation. The upper-limb motions (shoulder, elbow and wrist motion) are especially important for such persons to perform daily activities. Generally for shoulder motion 300F is needed to describe its motion(extension/flexion, abduction/adduction, internal/external rotation) but we have used a redundant actuator thus making a 4 DOF system. In this paper, we proposed the mechanism design of the exoskeleton which consists of 4-DOF for shoulder and 1-DOF for elbow robotic exoskeleton to assist upper-limb motion. Then we compared the new mechanism design and prototype mechanism design. Here we also analyze the proposed system kinematically to find out and to avoid the singular point. This research will ensure that the proposed wearable robot system make human's motion more powerfully and more easily.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.16 no.10
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• pp.927-932
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• 2010

Estimation methods of motion intention from bio-signal present challenges in man machine interaction(MMI) to offer user's command to machine without control of any devices. Measurements of meaningful bio-signals that contain the motion intention and motion estimation methods from bio-signal are important issues for accurate and safe interaction. This paper proposes a novel motion estimation sensor based on a geometrical muscle changes, and a motion estimation method using the sensor. For estimation of the motion, we measure the circumference change of the muscle which is proportional to muscle activation level using a flexible piezoelectric cable (pMAS, piezo muscle activation sensor), designed in band type. The pMAS measures variations of the cable band that originate from circumference changes of muscle bundles. Moreover, we estimate the elbow motion by applying the sensor to upper limb with least square method. The proposed sensor and prediction method are simple to use so that they can be used to motion prediction device and methods in rehabilitation and sports fields.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.587-601
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• 2000

The purpose of this study : 1. The total 56 range measurements of active dynamic motion of 40 subjects (20's and 30's) were measured using 3-D dynamic motion analysis system. 2. Various comparisons were performed for the right and left side, male, age groups (20's, 30's, and 40's ∼ 60's) using previous studies. The results were compared with the other studies in the aspects of age. In this study, the 3-D motion analysis system based on photogrammetry was established and used to analyze the human's motion and posture. The system consists of VICON 140, data acquisition system, and data analysis program (KRISSMAS). The result of this study were as follows : 1. Comparing 20's with 30's the result shows that 30's have larger ROM at some joints, which is inconsistent with the previous result. The reason is that female subjects in 20's were improperly sampled according to the representatives of anthropometry characteristics. 2. There are significant differences in some joints related with age. 20's male subjects have more flexible joints in the neck while 30's male subjects have more flexibility in their shoulder joint and elbow joint. But most of the significances were not high (p〈0.05). The prediction that the right side of Korean bodies would be more flexible was not a good hypothesis. And the joints flexibilities are not correlated with Rohrer's Index.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.696-710
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• 2023

This study investigated the problems of Korean female combat uniforms and collected primary data for developing new combat uniforms with improved functionality. We analyzed fit and motion suitability by administering a questionnaire evaluating the current uniforms to 20 Korean female soldiers. The evaluation of fit suitability found that satisfaction with the combat uniforms was generally high. However, short sleeve length, large wrist circumference, small hip circumference, large ankle circumference, and low crotch height were discomfort factors. In the evaluation of motion suitability, dissatisfaction was found with the sleeve circumference, elbow circumference, armhole circumference, knee crease and crotch height, and back waist height during motion. Therefore, it is necessary to establish a more segmented size system that suits the physique of current female soldiers and to devise appropriate solutions for improving motion suitability. This study is meaningful for its evaluation of the current combat uniform of female soldiers, and it is expected to serve as a reference for the future development of military combat uniforms for this group.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.17-30
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• 2017

Lots of interdisciplinary studies for fusion of high technologes and the other areas of research had been tried in these days. In sports training area, high technologies like a vital sign sensor or an accelerometer were adopted as training tools to improve the performance of the sports players. The purpose of this study is finding the proper locations on the human body for attaching the motion sensors in order to develop a smart sportswear which could be helpful in training players. The rowing was selected as a subject sport as lots of movements of the joint on human body could be seen in rowing motions. The players of rowing could be devided into two weight divisions, the lightweight and the heavyweight. In this study, the change rates of distance between markers on human skin as the players moved were took on the back, the elbow, the hip and the knee area on human body by 3D motion capturing system. The distances between markers and the differences between the lightweight and heavyweight were analyzed. Finally, this study provided the guide lines for designing a motion sensing smart sportswear.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.120-126
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• 2018

Background: Treatment of distal humerus fractures in osteoporotic elderly patients is often challenging. For non-reconstructible fractures with open reduction and internal fixation, total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is an acceptable alternative. However, the relatively high complication rates and lifelong activity restrictions make TEA less ideal for elderly or low-demand patients. Efforts to identify or develop alternate procedures that benefit relatively young, high-demand patients have resulted in increased interest in hemiarthroplasty. This systematic review reports the clinical outcomes of hemiarthroplasty for distal humeral fractures. Methods: We systematically reviewed the databases of PubMed, Ovid MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library. All English-language studies published before June 2017 were considered for possible inclusion. Search terms included 'distal humerus fracture' and 'hemiarthroplasty'. Studies reporting outcomes (and a minimum of 1 year clinical follow-up) in human subjects after hemiarthroplasty (Latitude system) for distal humeral fractures were assessed for inclusion. Patient demographics, clinical and radiographic outcomes, and complications were recorded, and homogenous outcome measures were analyzed. Results: Nine studies with a total of 115 patients met the inclusion criteria. Among the included studies, the weighted mean follow-up time was 35.4 months. Furthermore, the weighted mean of the postoperative range of motion ($107.6^{\circ}$ flexion-extension, $157.5^{\circ}$ for pronation-supination) and functional outcomes (Mayo elbow performance scores: 85.8, Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand score: 19.6) were within the acceptable range. Conclusions: Our study indicates that hemiarthroplasty is a viable option for comminuted distal humerus fracture. Satisfactory functional outcomes were observed in most patients.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.118-126
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• 2011

This study proposes a human body orientation tracking system by inertial and earth magnetic sensors. These sensors were fused by indirect Kalman filter. The proposed tracking system was configured and the filter was implemented. The tracking performance was evaluated with static and dynamic tests. In static test, the sensor was fixed on the floor while its static characteristics was analyzed. In dynamic test, the sensor was held and moved manually for 30 seconds. The dynamic test included x, y, z axis rotations, and elbow flection/extension motions that mimic drinking. For these dynamic motions, the tracking angle error was under $4.1^{\circ}$ on average. The proposed tracking method is expected to be useful for various human body motion analysis.

• Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology
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• v.18 no.11
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• pp.1949-1960
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• 2004

This paper presents a robot system developed for medical purpose. A 6-degree-of-freedom robot was introduced for physical exercise and rehabilitation. This system was proposed for stroke patients or patients who cannot use one of their arms or legs. The robot system exercises the hemiplegic part based on the motion of normal part of a patient. Kinematic studies on the human body and robot were applied to develop the robotic rehabilitation exercise system. A clamp which acts as an end effector of the robot to hold a patient was designed and applied to the robot to guarantee the safety of patients. The proposed robotic rehabilitation system was verified by simulations and experiments on arm (elbow and shoulder) motion. Patients are expected to be able to exercise various motions by themselves with the proposed robotic rehabilitation system.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.21-30
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• 2016

Objective: This study aimed to examine the characteristics of joint kinematics and synchronicity of rowing motion between elite and non-elite rowers. Methods: Two elite and two non-elite rowers performed rowing strokes (3 trials, 20 strokes in each trial) at three different stroke rates (20, 30, 40 stroke/min) on two stationary rowing ergometers. The rowing motions of the rowers were captured using a 3-dimensional motion analysis system (8-infrared camera VICON system, Oxford, UK). The range of motion (RoM) of the knee, hip, and elbow joints on the sagittal plane, the lead time ($T_{Lead}$) and the drive time $T_{Drive}$) for each joint, and the elapsed time for the knee joint to maintain a fully extended position ($T_{Knee}$) during the stroke were analyzed and compared between elite and non-elite rowers. Synchronicity of the rowing motion within and between groups was examined using coefficients of variation (CV) of the $T_{Drive}$ for each joint. Results: Regardless of the stroke rate, the RoM of all joints were greater for the elite than for non-elite rowers, except for the RoMs of the knee joint at 30 stroke/min and the elbow joint at 40 stroke/min (p < .05). Although the $T_{Lead}$ at all stroke rates were the same between the groups, the $T_{Drive}$ for each joint was shorter for the elite than for the non-elite rowers. During the drive phase, elite rowers kept the fully extended knee joint angle longer than the non-elite rowers (p < .05). The CV values of the TDrive within each group were smaller for the elite compared with non-elite rowers, except for the CV values of the hip at all stroke/min and elbow at 40 stroke/min. Conclusion: The elite, compared with non-elite, rowers seem to be able to perform more powerful and efficient rowing strokes with large RoM and a short $T_{Drive}$ with the same $T_{Lead}$.

• Journal of Institute of Control, Robotics and Systems
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• v.18 no.12
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• pp.1106-1114
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• 2012

To achieve synchronized motion between a wearable robot and a human user, the redundancy must be resolved in the same manner by both systems. According to the seven DOF (Degrees of Freedom) human arm model composed of the shoulder, elbow, and wrist joints, positioning and orientating the wrist in space is a task requiring only six DOFs. Due to this redundancy, a given task can be completed by multiple arm configurations, and thus there exists no unique mathematical solution to the inverse kinematics. This paper presents analysis on the kinematic and dynamic aspect of the human arm movement and their effect on the redundancy resolution of the human arm based on a seven DOF manipulator model. The redundancy of the arm is expressed mathematically by defining the swivel angle. The final form of swivel angle can be represented as a linear combination of two different swivel angles achieved by optimizing different cost functions based on kinematic and dynamic criteria. The kinematic criterion is to maximize the projection of the longest principal axis of the manipulability ellipsoid for the human arm on the vector connecting the wrist and the virtual target on the head region. The dynamic criterion is to minimize the mechanical work done in the joint space for each two consecutive points along the task space trajectory. As a first step, the redundancy based on the kinematic criterion will be thoroughly studied based on the motion capture data analysis. Experimental results indicate that by using the proposed redundancy resolution criterion in the kinematic level, error between the predicted and the actual swivel angle acquired from the motor control system is less than five degrees.