NEW POSSIBILITIES FOR CONTROL OF MECHATRONICAL REHABILITATION SHOES TUKE

Article discusses possibilities of new control system of mechatronical rehabilitation TUKE version shoes. Originally they were developed as a part of the international FP7 project SMILING. We describe new mechanical concept of shoes with new simplified control system. That directly modifies chaotic signals, provides motor control of actuators and sensors of swing phase. Processing of data from the sensors of swing phase, generator of chaotic signals and transmit commands for motor control of actuators, provides microprocessor on an open electronic platform ARDUINO. Output data from the sensors, generator of chaotic signal and motor control, as well as the actual value of position controlled actuators, are also recorded and processed by a computer

Evaluation of Seniors Gait Training with Mechatronic Device

AbstractAuthors present some results from research work on human movement analysis and its use in clinical practice. The aim of this research was to evaluate the effect of the new rehabilitation method for the prevention of falls in the elderly. The basis of new rehabilitation training is walking disturbed by perturbations embedded in shoes. Perturbations are generated with the original mechatronic device developed within project SMILING - Self Mobility Improvement of eLderly by counteractING falls, no. 215493 granted by the 7th framework program–ICT2007.7.1 „ICT and Ageing“. The SMILING system is a complete system for the training of gait [1]. SMILING shoe is a complex mechatronic system, which requires interaction through data obtained from the sensors of mechanical components, as well as data on user's activities. The SMILING shoes are able to change their configuration during the swing phase of gait to propose a different “ground” when the foot touches the floor. According to the basic idea, the SMILING system is not a medical device but a training device. This means that its use is envisaged also in non-protected environments such as fitness centers and/or private homes. The aim of the pilot study was to assess the impact of unconventional rehabilitation system SMILING on gait pattern. Seventeen patients participated in the study (elderly aged 65 and over) provided in Slovakia in cooperation with the Highly Specialized Geriatric Institute of St. Lukas Košice. Gait pattern has been defined through selected temporal-spatial parameters, obtained by measuring walking self-paced by opto-electrical system SMART in laboratory conditions. The results of the three measurements were compared by paired t-test for significance α=0,05. Data showed that after completing the second stage of training exercises walking speed and the length stride have increased and gait cycle was decreased. However, for approval of efficiency of the new rehabilitation method further clinical testing must be done

UTILIZING OF MEMS SENSORS IN REHABILITATION PROCESS

The potential for utilizing of MEMS sensors, especially of accelerometers and gyroscopes is significant. They are used not only in consumer’s electronics, but also in so called wearable sensors that can be worn on body or in part of garment without interrupting comfort of person who is wearing these sensors. In the same time, we are able to collect data about person carrying the device. This paper focuses on analysis of current state of utilizing of MEMS sensors in rehabilitation process or in motion analysis