A new concept of dynamic orthosis for paraplegia: The weight bearing control (WBC) orthosis

H. Yano, S. Kaneko, K. Nakazawa, S. I. Yamamoto, A. Bettoh

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

42 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

A new concept of device, termed the weight-bearing control (WBC) orthosis, has been designed with three major needs in mind; a rigid frame that supports the user's body weight, a special hip joint device that reciprocally propels each leg forward, a gas powered foot device that varies the sole thickness of the device for foot/floor clearance, and control system of the orthosis. A paraplegic (T7 level complete paraplegia, sensory evoked potential silent, response to electro-stimulation on the cortical area of the brain also silent) who has tested this WBC orthosis has been able to walk without fatigue at a high speed for a greater distance than before. In walking tests of this WBC orthosis, he achieved a maximum walking speed of 34.1 m/min for a distance of 10 metres. The walking distance reached 521 m with an average walking speed of 21.2 m/min without rest on one small tank of CO2 liquid gas, measuring 10 cm in length and 3 cm in diameter.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)222-228
Number of pages7
JournalProsthetics and Orthotics International
Volume21
Issue number3
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1997 Dec
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health Professions (miscellaneous)
  • Rehabilitation

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