Gait Training Equipment with Partial Weight Bearing Systems and Auto-Braking Systems

Tan, Kha Kian (2018) Gait Training Equipment with Partial Weight Bearing Systems and Auto-Braking Systems. Final Year Project (Bachelor), Tunku Abdul Rahman University College.

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Abstract

The project was inspired by the problem from stroke patient who was facing problem of falling during rehabilitation. The project is aimed to solve this problem by designing and implementing a Gait training equipment with body weight support system/ partial weight bearing (PWB) system and automatic braking system to reduce the chance of falling. Gait is a manner of walking. The normal forward step consists of two phases: the stance phase, during which one leg and foot arebearing most or all of the body weight, and the swing phase, during which the foot is not touching the walking surface andthe body weight is borne by the other leg and foot. Boundary conditions of this project are the maximum designed mass for this equipment is 100kg and the speed limit of the equipment is set to be 0.2m/s. Besides that, a literature review on patents and product available in market have been done, and studies on concepts of several components to be used in this project. The preliminary design of the equipment is done, prototype of the equipment is built and tested. Body weight support system, structure of the gait training equipment, and manual and auto braking systems are built. Modifications on the preliminary design were done due to some unforeseen issues on it, lack of machines, and time constraint. The main contribution of this portable gait training equipment is aimed for affordable product cost with same functionality as those available products in market. Arduino software was used to test the functionality of wiring systems of electronic components before they are installed onto prototype. In results, the gait training equipment is transportable and able to brake in two conditions which are the user want to stop it and the user exceeded the speed limit (0.2m/s) while he or she doing rehabilitation using this equipment.