Source avec lien : International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 93. 10.1016/j.ergon.2022.103396
Dans cet article, nous présentons un nouveau mécanisme d’articulation à 6 barres intégré dans le dispositif, qui suit la trajectoire du mouvement de l’articulation de la hanche et permet une orientation confortable de la barre de support pendant le mouvement. Le dispositif est positionné à la fois comme un appareil d’assistance fonctionnelle destiné aux utilisateurs finaux contraints de rester à domicile en raison de leur handicap et comme une aide à la thérapie de la déambulation pour aider les kinésithérapeutes et les prestataires de soins à soulever les patients. Au cours de sa phase de développement, l’appareil a été testé dans plusieurs résidences-services et maisons de retraite et est actuellement utilisé dans tout le pays.
This paper presents a multi-functional Sit-to-Stand (STS) assistive device, which seeks to improve the mobility of individuals with lower extremity weaknesses. While originally designed for a person suffering from post-polio syndrome who could not rise from a seated position unassisted, the device found its utility among overweight and elderly persons and physical therapists. There is a growing population aged 65 and up for whom this essential activity of daily life can be a painful task. Lack of availability of fully-assistive Sit-to-Stand devices, which provide the STS motion and also aid in ambulation presents an unmet need for such individuals. In this paper, we present a novel 6-bar Sit-to-Stand (STS) linkage mechanism integrated into the device, which follows the motion trajectory of the hip joint and provides a comfortable orientation of the supporting bar during the motion. The device is positioned both as a functional assistive device meant for end-users constrained to stay at home due to their disability as well as an ambulation therapy aid to assist physical therapists and care providers to help them lift patients. The device, during the development stage, was tested at several assisted living facilities and nursing homes and is currently being used nationwide.