Development of a Passive Back-Support Exoskeleton Mimicking Human Spine Motion for Multi-Posture Assistance in...

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Ergonomics
• Rehabilitation Engineering

Background:

• Passive exoskeletons often use elastic elements, limiting their effectiveness for sustained static postures.
• Prolonged static lumbar flexion causes significant musculoskeletal strain in occupations like surgery, assembly, and farming.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel passive back-support exoskeleton inspired by the human spine.
• To assess the exoskeleton's ability to provide sustained support during prolonged static forward bending.

Main Methods:

• A novel passive exoskeleton integrating a five-bar linkage and vertebrae-mimicking units was designed.
• Subjects performed a 30-minute forward-bending assembly task with and without the exoskeleton.
• Electromyography (EMG) and metabolic rate were measured to assess muscle activity and fatigue.

Main Results:

• The exoskeleton demonstrated a 10.1% reduction in integrated EMG (IEMG) and a 9.78% decrease in erector spinae RMS values.
• A significant 11.1% reduction in metabolic rate was observed when wearing the exoskeleton.
• These findings indicate reduced muscle fatigue and physical exertion during static work.

Conclusions:

• The novel spine-inspired exoskeleton effectively mitigates muscle fatigue during prolonged static bending.
• This technology offers a valuable solution for reducing musculoskeletal strain in various occupational settings.
• The design advances passive exoskeleton capabilities for sustained postural support.