The purpose of this project was to design, develop, and test a prototype device to be used in the rehabilitation of lower limbs. The prototype mimics the motion of walking through the use of a fourbar linkage driven by a geared permanent magnet D.C. motor. The prototype targets persons suffering from injuries to the nervous system or from neuromuscular diseases such that they do not suffer from mental impairment. The mechanism was designed to supplement current physical therapy methods, eliminating the need for a therapist to manually pattern a patient's leg muscles. A gait sensor system was developed in conjunction with the device in order to measure a patient's progress over time. Design considerations of the device and the sensor system included safety, functionality, comfort, and psychological impact.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• Mattern, Jesse
• Dickert, Kevin Andrew
• Gleghorn, Jason Paul
• Lawrence-Slavas, Noah

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 00D148M

Advisor

• Durgin, William W.
• Minasian, John A.

Year

• 2000

Date created

• 2000-01-01

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright