NAME
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Elizabeth Hsiao-Wecksler |
PROJECT
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Testbed 6: Fluid Power Assistive Orthoses |
ABSTRACT
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In the US alone, there are over 800K individuals affected by gait disabilities caused by weakness of muscle groups below the knee. Testbed 6 will design novel ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) with embedded fluid power control and actuation that assist a person's functional gait. Each design iteration will address progressively more complex gait pathologies, thus allowing for an evolution of advanced fluid power concepts. The testbed will demonstrate and integrate compact, efficient, and effective fluid power concepts in a challenging, un-tethered, human-scale device. The long term goal is to develop and test a series of prototype devices that will incorporate current thrust area projects, as well as drive new enabling and systems technologies within the center. These technologies will follow an evolutionary roadmap addressing the highest priority aspects of the overall testbed first and then integrating developments from other center projects as they come available over the lifetime of the center. This testbed will culminate with prototypes supplied to health care professionals and patients for testing and evaluation. |