1P1-F04 Proposal of fluid powered socks to create flexure motion to ankles from a medical point of view

Abstract

This paper describes the development of a socks-shaped fluid powered actuator, which creates flexure motion of ankles in order to prevent thrombosis and drop-foot. This actuator is composed of two internal ballooning devices, one to provide dorsal flexion and the other, to provide planter flexion, which being light weighted and simply weared. Furthermore, since the structure does not have a fixed rotation axis, it adapts to the motion of the ankle, which has a rotation axis non-perpendicular to the saggital plane. The dorsal and planter flexion motions of an ankle using this actuator were measured through myogenic potential, showing the effectiveness of the actuator regarding support of ankle motion.