• Design Convergence Study
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.243-253
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• 2016

In this study, crutch and crutch gait for the handicapped in the lower extremity were discussed, and the study was conducted as a part of long-term research that suggests a practical solution for a crutch design. Three axillary crutches were evaluated in the study by a set of design guidelines for crutches delivered from the advanced research. In this comparative study with axillary crutch design variations, 31 healthy subjects were participated and three crutches were evaluated by ten guidelines. The result showed that Mobilegs-ultra and In-motion Pro were significantly greater than KM Crutch. However, no statistically significant difference was found between Mobilegs-ultra and In-motion Pro. While analyzing with guidelines, Mobilegs-ultra and In-motion Pro were significantly greater than KM Crutch for 6-guideline, but no significant difference was found among three crutches for the guidelines related with Lightweight and Economical feasibility and marketability. The result of the study is expected to be used for a solid foundation to evaluate for the reasonableness of the guidelines with comprehensive analysis for crutch gait evaluation in the further study.

• Design Convergence Study
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.157-169
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• 2015

In this study, three axillary crutches(Mobilegs, KM crutch, Pro In-motion) were tested with 12 healthy male subjects by measuring the EMG activity of the latissimus dorsi and gastrocnemius and the user-perceived levels focusing on the comfort and ease of use. The result showed that the EMG activity of the gastrocnemius was significantly reduced during ambulation using Mobilegs and Pro In-motion compared with the ambulation using KM crutch, a conventional crutch. However, no statistically significant difference was found for EMG activity of the latissimus dorsi. Subjects perceived the Mobilegs to be more comfortable and easy to use than the other crutches. Theses result may delivered mostly from the characteristics of spring-loaded axillary pad and ergonomic crutch handle. The results indicate that ambulation using the spring-loaded crutch is much easy with asking less exertion at gastrocnemius. In addition, the characteristics of crutch design, such as embedded spring, makes muscles to consume less energy. When the reasonable structure and form of the axillary pad and crutch handle are applied herein, the ambulation using the crutches are perceived to comfort.

• Design Convergence Study
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.55-70
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• 2018

This study was conducted as a part of long-term project on the development of a set of design guidelines for a crutch as mobility aids for the handicapped in the lower extremity and the suggestion a practical solution for a crutch design. The purpose of this study is to develop a design of a crutch and a set of prototypes that reflects the characteristics of crutch-gait and has a realistic possibility for mass production-based industry. TOGO, a axillary crutch as the result of this study, shows a number of characteristics distinguished from ordinary crutches. These are (1)Minimize the shock associated with planting of the crutch tips by improving the form and structure of crutch tip and axillary pad, (2)Ergonomically designed crutch in accordance with users' body movement while walking on crutches, (3)Easy length control to maximize mobility and maneuverability by changing the cross section of the crutch revolutionary, (4)Minimize possibilities of safety hazards, and (5)Attractive shape of the crutch to keep user self-esteem. The revolutionary crutch derived from this study results has been patented, and the company is seeking to mass-produce and find ways to commercialize it after reviewing the potential problems that may arise in the mass production environment.

• Journal of the Ergonomics Society of Korea
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.103-108
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• 2008

The aim of this paper is to improve the design of a pair of axilla crutches through quality function deployment(QFD) and discomfort experiments. User needs for the crutches, as well as the engineering characteristics which have influence on the ergonomic quality of crutches were determined from the interview with many users. This information was entered in the house of quality, and the results show that the axillary pad and grip are the most important quality factors. And the results from the discomfort experiments confirmed the QFD output. A prototype reflecting the QFD results was proposed. The present study demonstrated how QFD approach can be a methodological tool geared to greater ergonomics consideration in product design.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.24-31
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• 1996

The purpose of this study was to determine which of several crutch-fitting techniques best predicts ideal crutch length. Ideal crutch length is defined as the length of the crutch, including accessories, obtained during stance when the crutch tip is 6 inches (15.2 cm) lateral and 6 inches(15.2 cm) anterior to the fifth toe and the axillary pad is 2.5 inches(6.4 cm) below the axillary fold. Forty four volunteers were measured for crutches using each of the following methods:(1) 77% of actual height, (2) actual height minus 40.6 cm, (3) actual height minus 45.7 cm, (4) olecranon to opposite third finger tip, (5) olecranon to opposite fifth finger tip, (6) 77% of arm span, (7) arm span minus 40.6 cm, (8) anterior axillary fold to heel plus 5.1 cm, (9) anterior axillary fold to heel plus 10.2 cm, (10) ideal crutch length. Of the techniques studied, the two involving anterior axillary fold to heel were found to be good predictors: anterior axillary fold to heel plus 5.1 cm and anterior axillary fold to heel plus 10.2 cm. Finally, two additional length estimates were derived using linear regression analyses. These estimates provided the best overall predictors based on anterior axillary fold to heel and actual height.