• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.357-364
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• 2010

This study proposes a lower-limb exoskeleton system that is controlled by a wearer's muscle activity. This system is designed by following procedure. First, analyze the muscle activation patterns of human leg while walking. Second, select the adequate actuator to support the human walking based on calculation of required force of knee joint for step walking. Third, unit type knee and ankle orthotics are integrated with selected actuator. Finally, using this knee-assistive system (KAS) and developed muscle stiffness sensors (MSS), the muscle activity pattern of the subject is analyzed while he is walking on the stair. This study proposes an operating algorithm of KAS based on command signal of MSS which is generated by motion intent of human. A healthy and normal subject walked while wearing the developed powered-knee exoskeleton on his/her knees, and measured effectively assisted plantar flexor strength of the subject's knees and those neighboring muscles. Finally, capabilities and feasibility of the KAS are evaluated by testing the adapted motor pattern and the EMG signal variance while walking with exoskeleton. These results shows that developed exoskeleton which controlled by muscle activity could help human's walking acceptably.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
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• 2008.06a
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• pp.41-42
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• 2008

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.7-12
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• 2013

In this paper, we propose a brushless DC motor drive system for active knee prosthesis and low-cost estimation method for phase current from DC-link current. To control motor torque directly, current sensing is very important and current sensing point should be synchronized with voltage switching command to minimize the effect of switching noise in current measurement, For maintaining small form factor, simplifying control schemes and achieving low-cost system, control schemes using DC-link current are used. Moreover, we incorporated phase current estimation method using analog MUX for minimizing current estimation error between DC-link current and phase current. The validity of the proposed system is verified through experimental works.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.275-283
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• 2016

In this study, three knee-orthoses (dial lock type, medium size, right side) were used for a quality level test (static bending test and solidity test of the locking system) of the knee-orthosis locking system. In the static bending test, a smaller maximum load was observed in samples A and C compared to the reference standard value (KS P 8408 standard value: 1000 N, sample A: 865 N, sample C: 833 N). In addition, in the solidity test of the locking system, a smaller maximum load was observed in the all samples compared to the referenced standard value (KS P 8411 standard value: 200 N, sample A: 41 N, sample B: 97 N, sample C: 54 N). Korean industrial standards for knee-orthoses and systematic test methods are lacking. Therefore, a systematic management plan for knee-orthoses is required. The result of the current study showed that a systematic management plan for the knee-orthosis locking system is required. In particular, the development of a quantitative and objective test method is needed. The findings of the current study may be useful for monitoring the quality of the knee-orthosis locking system and may provide foundational information for the development of a quantitative and objective test method.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.41-46
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• 2022

Background: The purpose of this study was to develop a sit-to-stand transfer assistive device, and to conduct a feasibility test. Design: A technical note. Methods and results: In this study, we developed a sit-to-stand transfer assistive device for the elderly and the disabled who have difficulty standing up independently from sitting positions. The sit-to-stand transfer assistive device allows the user to transfer the weight from a sitting position to a standing position while shifting the weight forward by grabbing and pulling a support stand. Ten healthy adults participated in the feasibility test of the device. Each participant used the developed sit-to-stand transfer assistive device and investigated supplementation through a brief interview. As a result of the feasibility test, the opinion was that the device could assist the sit-to-stand transfer to some extent. There were opinions that it needed a function to adjust the height of the knee protective plate in the sitting position according to the user's physical characteristics. Because of the inconvenience of operating the lock device for fixing the position and adjusting inclination, there was an opinion that the improvement for a locking device is needed. There were opinions that it would be better to reduce the size of the device due to its inconvenience of portability. Conclusion: In this study, we developed the sit-to-stand transfer assistive device for the elderly and the disabled who have difficulty standing up independently from sitting positions. In addition, it is considered that the upgrade of the device is necessary for the future since there are supplementary opinions on some points.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.139-144
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• 2013

Various types of disease in the nervous and musculoskeletal system can change gait, and the gait analysis is very important in determining the progression of the disease. Most methods of analyzing gait are subject to high-priced equipment and spatial restrictions. This study used smart phone images and the walking track analysis program to make a comparative analysis with the existing gait analysis on the basis of the stride length measurements and the changes in the knee joint angle for walking. The test necessary to analyze gait was conducted in seven healthy men, and data about the angle of right and left knee joints and stride length were used to analyze gait. The gait analysis in this study obtained the similar results to the existing ones. The use of the methods suggested in this study will enable gait analysis to be made without high-priced equipment and spatial restrictions.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.283-289
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• 2014

This paper presents a design and optimization of the fully-active transfemoral prosthesis leg system. As it has one degree of freedom in knee joint, this prosthesis leg can imitate the human's gait. The weight of system, which makes the users more comfortable due to less tiredness, and the knee joint torque to rise stability of the system are major factors of prosthesis leg system. Thus the mechanism of prosthesis changes from 3-linkage type to geared type. The sensorized foot is also designed to effectively determine human's gait by measuring deformation of the foot during gait. Topology optimization is carried out for the sensorized foot to remove its unnecessary weight. The safety of optimized foot is verified by carrying out finite element analysis.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.259-265
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• 2014

The aims of this study are to investigate the walking intention detection of a rollator based on Infraed (IR) sensor measuring knee joint anterior displacement and leg muscle activities. We used Active Walker attached IR sensor to measure the knee joint anterior displacement and EMG signal of leg muscles(rectus femoris, biceps femoris, tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius) were taken by Delsys bagnli-8ch. Subjects were eight healthy males(age $23.7{\pm}0.5years$, height $175.4{\pm}2.3cm$, weight $70.6{\pm}5.6kg$) and they were involved in experiments which had been proceeded 30 minutes a week, during 3 weeks. This system indicates that the knee joint anterior displacement had the distinction increases according to the gait slope and velocity. We showed the increase of the femoral muscle activities along the anterior tilt and the increase of the crural muscle activities along the posterior tilt.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2011

Our study is to verify validation of exercise effect that developing exercise and rehabilitation instrument using pneumatic actuators available rehabilitation and healthcare, while at the same time safer and more convenient for the user to select the desired exercise. Shares subject to the usual exercise is conducted in less than a week in the knee extension and flexion at the undergraduate level there is no more than 10 of the 20 patients were female. Subject performed knee exercise 3 set a day with 12times a set using fluid type exercise instrument and pneumatic exercise instrument that build in this study. Experiment has progressed in 4-weeks with 3-days a week. Our exercise load consist of two type. One is active exercise load with developed instrument in our study and the other one is passive exercise load with fluid instrument. Exercise program based on real-time muscle activation patterns and muscle activity before and after exercise by comparing the effects of exercise for rehabilitation has been verified. The results showed that muscular activity is higher in active exercise load than passive load, and improvement of muscle strength more increased too. Equipment more user-centered exercise more effectively exercise may enhance muscle strength was found. This study can adapt rehabilitation program and exercise for patient and weaker. Also our system can provide easily and convenient prescription of rehabilitation for expert related rehabilitation.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.53-62
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• 2018

In this study, we developed a smart 1RM system for national health management and physical fitness, which enables quantitative 1RM measurement in various types of exercise using digital pulley technology, and to test the effect on training by using it. We developed the smart 1RM system, which is composed of portable muscle strength measuring device, Bluetooth communication based mobile phone data transmission and circuit diagram, and height adjustable system body. We recruited the 30 participants with 20th aged and divided into training and non-performing groups with 15 participants randomly. The participants performed 5 sets of elbow, lumbar, knee extension / flexion 10 times using smart 1RM system and the experimental period was 3 days a week for a total of 8 weeks. The experimental results showed that the maximum strength of the elbow, lumbar, and knee joints was significantly improved before and after maximal muscle strength training in the training group. Oxygen intakes during 1RM exercise mode showed 10.91% than endurance. To verify the validity of the smart 1RM maximal strength data, the reliability was 0.895 (* p <0.00). This study can be applied to the early rehabilitation treatment of the elderly and rehabilitation patients more quantitatively using the national health care.