User Local Coordinate-Based Accompanying Robot for Human Natural Movement of Daily Life.

Considering the trend of aging societies, accompanying technology can help frail, elderly individuals participate in daily activities. The ideal accompanying robot should accompany the user in a proper position according to the activity scenarios and context; the prerequisite is that the accompanying robot should quickly move to a designated position and closely maintain it regardless of the direction in which the user moves. This paper proposes a user local coordinate-based strategy to satisfy this need.

Development of a Computerized Device for Evaluating Vestibular Function in Locomotion: A New Evaluation Tool of Vestibular Hypofunction.

To evaluate vestibular function in the clinic, current assessments are applied under static conditions, such as with the subject in a sitting or supine position. Considering the complexities of daily activities, the combination of dynamic activities, dynamic visual acuity (DVA) and postural control could produce an evaluation that better reflects vestibular function in daily activities. To develop a novel sensor-based system to investigate DVA, walking trajectory, head and trunk movements and the chest-pelvis rotation ratio during forward and backward overground walking in both healthy individuals and patients with vestibular hypofunction.

Development of an Objective Portable Measurement Device for Spinal Joint Accessory Motion Testing.

Joint accessory motion testing (JAMT) is a standard procedure used by manual therapists to assess and treat musculoskeletal disorders. Joint accessory motion (JAM) is movement that occurs between joint surfaces, and can be induced by applying force. The motion amount, end feel, symptoms, and resistance perceived by therapists during test procedures are recorded as evidence for the diagnosis, prognosis, treatment decision making, and intervention outcome.

Establishment of vestibular function multimodality platform.

Background: The technology of using inertial measurement units (IMUs) to detect motions in different body segments has drawn enormous attention to research and industry. In our previous research, we have applied IMUs in evaluating and treating patients with vestibular hypofunction. Furthermore, according to the research, when a person's head rotates over 60° on either side in the horizontal plane, and desires to focus vision on any targets, then the function of gaze shift comes in to operation.

A novel instrumented walker for individualized visual cue setting for gait training in patients with Parkinson's disease.

Patients with Parkinson's disease suffer from gait disturbances, such as a shuffling and festinating gait, which reduces their quality of life. To circumvent this problem, external visual cues may be applied in gait training to maintain the integrity of motor function. However, conventional training methods, such as transverse lines stuck on the ground, are difficult to adjust and adapt to personalized gait ability.

A 3D mathematical model to predict spinal joint and hip joint force for trans-tibial amputees with different SACH foot pylon adjustments.

A solid-ankle cushioned heel (SACH) foot is a non-joint foot without natural ankle function. Trans-tibial amputees may occur toe scuffing in the late swing phase due to a lack of active dorsiflexion. To address this problem, clinical guidelines suggests shortening the pylon to produce a smooth gait.

An interactive wireless communication system for visually impaired people using city bus transport.

Visually impaired people have difficulty accessing information about public transportation systems. Several systems have been developed for assisting visually impaired and blind people to use the city bus. Most systems provide only one-way communication and require high-cost and complex equipment.

Comparing the shoulder impingement kinematics between circular and pumping strokes in manual wheelchair propulsion.

Purpose: The study aimed to investigate the glenohumeral kinematic difference between the circular and pumping strokes in manual wheelchair users.

Method: This is a repeated measures design with randomised testing conditions. We recruited 10 manual wheelchair users and asked them to perform both the pumping and circular strokes on a stationary roller system.

Ankle-foot simulator development for testing ankle-foot orthoses.

The fatigue failure of thermoplastic ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) was observed in clinics. However, there was no standard evaluation for the AFOs to enhance the understanding of how AFOs become more readily acceptable to patients. Therefore, this study aimed to develop an ankle-foot simulator (AFS) as a testing apparatus for AFOs, and performed a pilot test to investigate the failure mechanism of anterior ankle-foot orthosis (AAFO).

Using an optimization approach to design an insole for lowering plantar fascia stress--a finite element study.

Plantar heel pain is a commonly encountered orthopedic problem and is most often caused by plantar fasciitis. In recent years, different shapes of insole have been used to treat plantar fasciitis. However, little research has been focused on the junction stress between the plantar fascia and the calcaneus when wearing different shapes of insole.

Finite element analysis of the lumbar spine with a new cage using a topology optimization method.

In recent years, degenerative spinal instability has been effectively treated with a cage. However, little attention is focused on the design concept of the cage. The purpose of this study was to develop a new cage and evaluate its biomechanical function using a finite element method (FEM).