The purpose of this research is to develop a dynamic simulation model for FES patients. In dynamic analysis of human walk various inertia parameters must be known to derive the movement equation of the physical model. In this paper, we have proposed a measurement method which uses magnetic position sensor and forcer sensor to measure the body segment inertia parameters. Suitable movement is given to each joint of a person's leg, and the inertia parameters of the leg is identified from the relations between the input torque and the joint angle. We verified the effectiveness of this measuring method by a simulation of the lower limbs. The joint angle trajectories obtained by the model simulation using identified parameters were similar to those of the experimental result. This result is useful for developing a practical dynamic simulation model which can be easily applied in clinics, and it can also be used to automatically generate the stimulation data for a specific patient.

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The purpose of this study is to elucidate the process of development of extremity prostheses by looking at 3 cases from the Meiji Era. The Meiji Era was a period when Japan acquired new ideas and great efforts were made to catch up with modern Western countries. The investigation was conducted through interviews with several persons concerned and by examination of recently discovered records. The cases are summarized as follows: 1. Tanosuke Sawamura III(1845-1878), a Kabuki actor, whose right leg was amputated due to gangrene, ordered an artificial leg from Kisaburo Matsumoto, a ningyoushi(a maker of dolls). This prosthesis had a beautiful appearance, but was not practical. 2. Shigenobu Okuma(1838-1922), an elite politician who lost his right leg in a terrorist incident, was presented a prosthesis by A. A. Marks Co. in the U.S.A. Okuma was greatly satisfied and wrote a letter of thanks. At that time, however, imported prostheses were not only expensive to obtain but also not well adapted to the Japanese life style. 3. Yuichi Suzuki(1872-1921), who lost his right leg in an accident at the age of 16, made great efforts to develop an artificial leg to fit himself.He later established a prosthetics production company.

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