A Seminar On

Vertical Lift Walker

Guided By: Mr. Anil Kumar A.V Asst. Professor Dept. Of Mechanical Engineering SBCE Presented By: Dinesh S Panicker Roll No: 7417 Mechanical S7 SBCE

CONTENTS
LITERATURE REVIEW PROBLEM DEFINITION INTRODUCTION STANDARD WALKER VERTICAL LIFT WALKER WORKING FUNCTIONAL NEUROMUSCULAR STIMULATION GAS SPRING EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES FUTURE SCOPE CONCLUSION

LITERATURE REVIEW
Design and Experimental Evaluation of a Vertical Lift Walker for Sit-to-Stand Transition Assistance Journal of Medical DevicesASMEMarch 2012,Vol.6

PROBLEM DEFINITION
Sit-to-Stand Transition is problematic after injuries such as Spinal Cord Injury(SCI)
Need to depend on others

Mobility aid required

INTRODUCTION
A Vertical Lift Walker is designed Provides Sit-to-Stand assistance to individuals with partially paralyzed lower extremity muscles
Reduces force demands on muscles

Standard Walker
Commonly used walker Force demands on muscles is more It should be gripped while using

VERTICAL LIFT WALKER

Components
Gas Springs Platform Linear Bearings Steel Shaft Platform Mounting Plate Frame Mounting Plate Ball Joint Attachment Cylindrical Bracket

HOW IT WORKS ?
Place the hands on the platform Press button to activate gas springs

It provide assistive force in vertical direction (less than needed) Some lower extremity force provided by electrical stimulation

Functional Neuromuscular Stimulation (FNS)

Functional Neuromuscular Stimulation (FNS) is a rehabilitation strategy It applies low-level electrical current to the nerves that control muscles to stimulate functional movements "Functional" refers to the restoration of useful movements, like standing, stepping, pedaling for exercise, reaching or grasping

Need of FNS
During stand to sit transition body weight of user is required to compress gas spring Hence vertical lift force is less than body weight

While sit to stand transition FNS is required for the full transition force

continued
While moving to standing position FNS should be on to provide full transition force While moving back to sitting position FNS should be off to compress gas spring using body weight

Gas Spring

Gas Spring In Vertical Lift Walker

When button is pressed locking valve is opened Valve controlled by a pin within rod

When pin is engaged gas spring is locked

(a) Initially, the walker is locked in the seated position. (b) Upon pressing the release button, the gas springs exert force through the shoulders of the user to lift him from the chair. (c) The walker is locked in the fully extended position, capable of supporting loads.

EXPERIMETAL EVALUATION

ADVANTAGES
Does not require electrical power No grip force or harness is necessary Requires less leg force when compared with standard walker Constant upward force through out the entire range of motion Smooth vertical lift

DISADVANTAGES
Requires the assistance of FNS for its functioning Assistive vertical force is designed to be less than needed for the full sit to stand transition

FUTURE SCOPE
It could assist populations with limited mobility due to weight issues or diminished lower extremity strength Useful to individuals recovering from surgery, suffering from muscle weakness as a result of stroke , aging etc.

Assistance of FNS can be avoided using counter gas springs

CONCLUSION
A vertical lift walker is designed to help individuals with SCI and weak lower extremity muscles Sit to Stand assistance device with in implanted FNS system Vertical lift force provided by gas springs Reduces leg lift force required

REFRENCES
1. Design and Experimental Evaluation of a Vertical Lift Walker for Sit-to-Stand Transition Assistance Journal of Medical DevicesASMEMarch 2012,Vol. 6 2. Development of a Functional Neuromuscular Stimulation System for Independent Ambulation of Patients with a Spinal Cord Injury by Alejandro Garcia Blanco, Gildardo Jimnez, Pedro Ochoa Moreno 3. Xiamen Shuangyuan Springs Co., Ltd 'Blog 4. LOCKABLE GAS SPRING -General information

THANK YOU

QUESTIONS