Design of BalanSENS: Functional Evaluation in Ankle Preparation Phase


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Ersoy T., Hocaoğlu E., Kaya P., Ünal R.

JOURNAL OF BIONIC ENGINEERING, vol.21, no.6, pp.1-20, 2024 (SCI-Expanded)

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 21 Issue: 6
  • Publication Date: 2024
  • Doi Number: 10.1007/s42235-024-00601-8
  • Journal Name: JOURNAL OF BIONIC ENGINEERING
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Aerospace Database, Biotechnology Research Abstracts, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, INSPEC, Metadex, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.1-20
  • Istanbul Medipol University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

In this study, we present the design and development evaluation of BalanSENS toward the realization of the Integrated Balance Rehabilitation (I-BaR) framework. BalanSENS is designed to encourage active participation by integrating multi-sensory information with the co-improvement of sensory and motor functions. Moreover, it can offer individual rehabilitation design with the integration of three phases. The first phase provides foot-ankle muscle activation and movement sensation development. In the second phase, sensory weighting skills and upper extremities independence can be improved by using multi-sensory input. In the last/stepping phase, walking parameters are aimed to be improved with modulated distance. The parallel manipulator is designed through simulations to determine actuation properties and analyze the load-bearing capacity and feasibility of the materials. Drawing from simulation outcomes, an operational 3 DoF platform is constructed to demonstrate their design suitability for the I-BaR framework. Furthermore, design evaluations demonstrated promising results in quantifying force and real-time data monitoring during the passive ankle preparation phase.