Harnessing Energy of a Treadmill for Push-Off Assistance During Walking: In-Silico Feasibility Study.

ABSTRACT: Regaining efficient push-off is a crucial step in restitution of walking ability in impaired individuals. Inspired by the elastic nature of ankle plantarflexor muscle-tendon complex, we propose a novel rehabilitation device: Ankle Exoskeleton using Treadmill Actuation for Push-off assistance (AN-EXTRA-Push). Using a brake and an elastic tendon, it harnesses energy of a moving treadmill during stance phase, then releases it during push-off to aid with plantarflexion torque generation. We studied the feasibility of such a device and explored some key design and control parameters. A parameter sweep of three key parameters (brake engagement timing, brake disengagement timing and elastic tendon stiffness) was conducted in-silico. Results suggest that such a device is feasible and might

SUBMITTER: Tomc M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8889039 | biostudies-literature | 2022

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature