New Assistive Chopsticks Designed for People with Hand Dysfunction / 中国康复理论与实践

Objective:To design a new type of assistive chopsticks for the hand disorders, such as hand weakness and poor fine movement, etc. Methods:The assistive chopsticks were palm-control operative, integrated structure designed, and bending stamping processing technology was adopted. The key parts such as the bends and joint, holding parts were improved. The prototype was tested with finite element analysis and mechanical testing, and used on trial by a three years old boy. Results:The gripping force needed was related to the bending radius, material, section size and holding position. It required less dexterity and force for particular fingers, and was not easy to drop down. They could bounce off automatically and were suitable for left hand. Conclusion:The new type of assistive chopsticks may help the patients with hand dysfunction to have meals with chopsticks, to improve the quality of life. However, it is also suitable for Westerners with less experience.

Structure design and calculation analysis for double gasbags based on body weight support treadmill training / 医用生物力学

Objective To develop a double-gasbag weight loss equipment based on body weight support treadmill training (BWSTT)，and analyze the reasonability of the structure design. Methods The mathematical model of double gasbags in the process of air inflation was established, and the 3D model of double gasbags was established and meshed using Gambit; the analog computation for gas flow of the gasbag was conducted using Fluent; normal subjects with body weight below 80 kg were selected for clinical experiments based on designing and roughing of the prototype. Results The inflation time of double gasbags was 16.9 s and the maximum weight loss percentage was 90%; the pressure inside double gasbags was 2 kPa, and the relationship between the weight loss percentage and inside pressure of the gasbag was obtained by clinical experiments, which verified the reasonability of the gasbag structure. Conclusions The double-gasbag structure can meet the requirements of weigh loss training, which provides an effective weight loss support method and a feasible structural design for patients with lower limb dysfunction during rehabilitation training.