Design of Wearable Device for Improving the Mobility by Increasing the Lower Limb’s Blood Circulation

• Main Authors: Yan-ChunLin, 林雁淳
• Other Authors: Fong-Gong Wu
• Format: Others
• Language: en_US
• Published: 2019
• Online Access: http://ndltd.ncl.edu.tw/handle/brer63

碩士 === 國立成功大學 === 工業設計學系 === 107 === In this study, an innovative assisting device is proposed to respond to Osteoarthritis (OA) prevention needs of an aging society. Due to the modern lifestyle, people lack exercise and obesity problem. The risk of Osteoarthritis is increase recently. OA usually occurs in the bearing joints. Joint pain often worsens when more active and eases when resting. Resolving pain and stiffness brings convenience to life and improves body functions to OA patients is essential studies. Most research focuses on analyzing the effect of formal medical treatment. However, there is specific guidance on developing the daily prevention device. This study explores the impact of the physiological circulation of knee osteoarthritis. Focus on finding the relationship between blood circulation and OA and using an expert interview and naturalistic observation methods to develop the criteria of the design mechanism. Based on the mechanism of enhancing the blood flow, using the focus group method to provide the innovative design criteria. The final design which can effectively stimulate the local blood circulation, wearable device combined the inflatable airbag to press the blood vessel and the vibration to activate the peripheral nerves. Blood circulation can improve the lower limb's mobility. The paired sample t-test compared to the data collected by ultrasonic blood flow detector and infrared thermometer. The findings suggest that the stimulation provides by inflatable airbag and vibration significant impact the local blood circulation on the lower limb.