Host: The Japan Society of Mechanical Engineers
Name : [in Japanese]
Date : May 27, 2020 - May 30, 2020
In this research we propose a novel mechatronic Body Weight Support (BWS) system for locomotor rehabilitation training in patients with stroke or spinal cord injury (SCI). Body Weight Support Training (BWST), which has been proved to be a promising therapeutic tool to relive patient’s body weight and therefore facilitate gait pattern. We utilize Variable Stiffness Mechanism (VSM) for the system mechanical design to control the virtual stiffness of BWS system and thereby support human body weight. Experimental result shows the effectiveness of both the hardware design and control method to alleviate the body weight during walking motion.
