Technology and Health Care - Volume 7, issue 6

Authors: van der Linde, R.Q.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: Ballistic walking has been a topic of research in biomechanics and robotics several times. The main advantages of this approach are: self-organizing properties, minimal energetic expenditure, and natural movement. This would make ballistic walking a perfect physical principle for application in rehabilitation, and robotics. However a typical shortcoming of this approach is that it does not explicitly involve actuation (e.g., muscles or motors). In this work ballistic walking is extended with variable intrinsic system parameters, which can be used as an energy input and for disturbance control. With a limit cycle approach walking cycles can be synthesized and cycle …controllers can be designed. Experiments with a bipedal robot and simulations illustrate the route towards more robust, and applicable ballistic walking. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/THC-1999-7611

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 7, no. 6, pp. 449-453, 1999

Authors: Luinge, H.J. | Veltink, P.H. | Baten, C.T.M.

Article Type: Research Article

DOI: 10.3233/THC-1999-7612

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 7, no. 6, pp. 455-459, 1999

Authors: Aalsma, A.M.M. | Hekman, E.E.G. | Stapert, J. | Grootenboer, H.

Article Type: Research Article

Abstract: The procedure and the external fixator for lengthening long bones was developed by G.A. Ilizarov in the late 1960’s. This technique has, despite its proven abilities for leg lengthening and correction of angular deformities, some considerable disadvantages for the patients. Discomfort, infections and restricted weight bearing are some reasons for the development of a completely intramedullary device for leg lengthening. The device developed at the Laboratory of Biomechanical Engineering, University of Twente, is a telescopic intramedullary nail with a maximum diameter of 13 mm, which can be lengthened with 0.5 mm steps induced by a shape memory alloy actuator. The …electrical energy for the actuator is supplied from outside the body by inductive coupling of two solenoid coils. Internally, the electrical energy is transformed to thermal energy by Thermofoils and Peltier-elements. Show more

DOI: 10.3233/THC-1999-7613

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 7, no. 6, pp. 461-467, 1999

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/THC-1999-7614

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 7, no. 6, pp. 469-473, 1999

Article Type: Other

DOI: 10.3233/THC-1999-7615

Citation: Technology and Health Care, vol. 7, no. 6, pp. 475-476, 1999