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Biomechanical Model-Based Development of an Active Occupational Upper-Limb Exoskeleton to Support Healthcare Workers in the Surgery Waiting Room

Author

Listed:
  • Mark Tröster

    (Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, Nobelstraße 12, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • David Wagner

    (Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, Nobelstraße 12, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • Felix Müller-Graf

    (Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, Nobelstraße 12, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • Christophe Maufroy

    (Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, Nobelstraße 12, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • Urs Schneider

    (Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, Nobelstraße 12, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
    Institute of Industrial Manufacturing and Management IFF, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 35, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany)

  • Thomas Bauernhansl

    (Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and Automation IPA, Nobelstraße 12, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany
    Institute of Industrial Manufacturing and Management IFF, University of Stuttgart, Allmandring 35, 70569 Stuttgart, Germany)

Abstract

Occupational ergonomics in healthcare is an increasing challenge we have to handle in the near future. Physical assistive systems, so-called exoskeletons, are promising solutions to prevent work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs). Manual handling like pushing, pulling, holding and lifting during healthcare activities require practical and biomechanical effective assistive devices. In this article, a musculoskeletal-model-based development of an assistive exoskeleton is described for manual patient transfer in the surgery waiting room. For that purpose, kinematic data collected with an experimental set-up reproducing real patient transfer conditions are first used to define the kinetic boundary conditions for the model-based development approach. Model-based analysis reveals significant relief potential in the lower back and shoulder area of the musculoskeletal apparatus. This is corroborated by subjective feedback collected during measurements with real surgery assistants. A shoulder–arm exoskeleton design is then proposed, optimized and evaluated within the same simulation framework. The presented results illustrate the potential for the proposed design to reduce significantly joint compressions and muscle activities in the shoulder complex in the considered patient transfer scenarios.

Suggested Citation

  • Mark Tröster & David Wagner & Felix Müller-Graf & Christophe Maufroy & Urs Schneider & Thomas Bauernhansl, 2020. "Biomechanical Model-Based Development of an Active Occupational Upper-Limb Exoskeleton to Support Healthcare Workers in the Surgery Waiting Room," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-17, July.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:14:p:5140-:d:385412
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Mark Tröster & Sarah Budde & Christophe Maufroy & Michael Skipper Andersen & John Rasmussen & Urs Schneider & Thomas Bauernhansl, 2022. "Biomechanical Analysis of Stoop and Free-Style Squat Lifting and Lowering with a Generic Back-Support Exoskeleton Model," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(15), pages 1-16, July.
    2. Melissa Airem Cázares-Manríquez & Claudia Camargo-Wilson & Ricardo Vardasca & Jorge Luis García-Alcaraz & Jesús Everardo Olguín-Tiznado & Juan Andrés López-Barreras & Blanca Rosa García-Rivera, 2021. "Quantitative Models for Prediction of Cumulative Trauma Disorders Applied to the Maquiladora Industry," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-19, April.
    3. Yang Liu & Xiaoling Li & Jiarui Lai & Aibin Zhu & Xiaodong Zhang & Ziming Zheng & Huijin Zhu & Yueyang Shi & Long Wang & Zhangyi Chen, 2021. "The Effects of a Passive Exoskeleton on Human Thermal Responses in Temperate and Cold Environments," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-17, April.

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