New horizons for orthotic and prosthetic technology: artificial muscle for ambulation

摘要: The rehabilitation community is at the threshold of a new age in which orthotic and prosthetic devices will no longer be separate, lifeless mechanisms, but intimate extensions human body-structurally, neurologically, and dynamically. In this paper we discuss scientific technological advances that promise to accelerate merging body machine, including development actuator technologies behave like muscle control methodologies exploit principles biological movement. We present state-of-the-art device for leg rehabilitation: powered ankle-foot orthosis stroke, cerebral palsy, or multiple sclerosis patients. employs forcecontrollable biomimetic control scheme automatically modulates ankle impedance motive torque satisfy patient-specific gait requirements. Although has some clinical benefits, problems still remain. force-controllable comprises an electric motor mechanical transmission, resulting heavy, bulky, noisy mechanism. As resolution difficulty, argue electroactive polymer-based artificial may offer considerable advantages physically challenged, allowing joint force controllability, noise-free operation, anthropomorphic morphologies.