P-3-03-05
THE EFFICACY OF PCI (Physiological Cost Index) MEASUREMENT OF A SUBJECT WALKING WITH AN INTELLIGENT PROSTHESIS
Takaaki Chin, MD, Seishi Sawamura, MD, Isao Ojima, RPT, Hiroko Ooyabu, RPT, Yuuji Nagakura, RPT, Akio Nakagawa, Engineer (Hyogo Rehabilitation Center, Kobe, Japan)
The characteristics of intelligent prosthesis (IP) allow a higher walking speed than with older types, but the energy consumed in walking more rapidly is far higher. The purpose of this study is to determine whether or not PCI is applicable as an indicator for monitoring the amount of exercise load involved in walking with an IP. The subjects were 6 unilateral trans-femoral amputees, ages were between 17 and 34 with an average age of 23.1. An load method using the treadmill was conducted. First the most comfortable walking speed using an IP, free walking speed, was measured. The exercise protocol was as follows: for each person speeds at 0.8 times the subject's free walking speed, 1.0 times, 1.2 times, 1.4 times, for some 1.6 times were applied. During exercise the respiratory gas was monitored with a respiromonitor on a breath-by-breath basis. At the same time the ECG and HR were monitored. In all cases oxygen uptake and PCI increased with increasing walking speed. In each case the index of correlation between PCI and oxygen uptake in response to walking speed was calculated. A significant correlation was observed between PCI and oxygen uptake in each case. PCI is one of the cardiopulmonary factors suggested by MacGregor. These results indicate a close relation between cardiopulmonary factors and energy consumption while walking. PCI can be measured easily in a clinical environment while makes it potentially useful as an indicator for ascertaining the amount of exercise involved in walking with an IP.
P-3-03-06
FROM EMG CONTROLLING TO "REGENERATED FINGER" CONTROLLING ARTIFICIAL HAND - THE RECENT ACHIEVEMENT IN REHABILITATION ENGINEERING
Hu Tianpei, Xu Zhengsong, Chee Ben, Gao Zhonghua, Wu Tongshen
(Institute of Rehabilitation Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, CHINA)
Abstract: According to the sampling statistics there are over 7 millions limb disabled persons in China from several times of those in the world. For the benefit to the amputees, thousands varies kinds of commercial products of artificial hands, by scientific promotion have been developed in the recent half century. Among those products the EMG controlling artificial upper limb brings the hope to the amputees. The later are now used widely from the earliest one in 1948.
Some research by using implant electrode for detecting the neuro-information or EEG controlling method met also difficulties for raising the accuracy of artificial hand.
For breaking through the threshold of accuracy limit, the EMG method as mentioned above must be changed entirely. A newest creative research work on the electronic artificial hand controlled by a "regenerated finger" made by transplanting a toe to the stump is developing in Shanghai Jiao Tong University, which is without precedent in the world.
The first experimental amputee using "regenerated finger" to control an electronic artificial forearm with 3-degree of freedom reaches 100% accuracy of movements (i.e. no error within 100 tests). It has been proved that the use of a "regenerated finger" as a controlling signal command makes it possible to use the electronic artificial hand with multi-degree of freedom without error.
The research may open up a new way of combining medical science with engineering in the area of designing an electronic artificial upper limb.
Key words: Electronic artificial hand, Toe to stump regenerated finger, EMG controlling artificial hand
