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Doctoral researcher - Ph.D. student Mechanical Engineering Department Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium |
Contact infoE-mailhans . wambacq (at) mech . kuleuven . be Adress: Mechanical Engineering Department - PMA Division Katholieke Universiteit Leuven Celestijnenlaan 300B - bus 2420 B-3001 Leuven, Belgium Office: 01.053 How to reach Phone & fax: Direct: ++32 (0)16 / 32 80 57 Secretary's office: ++32 (0)16 / 32 24 80 Fax: ++32 (0)16 / 32 29 87 |
Research
IAHO - intelligent active hip orthosis An active orthosis is an extension of the commonly used passive devices to support patients with motor disabilities by adding actuation. By adding actuation we can "help" the patient with certain movements during a gait cycle. The objective of this doctorate would be the design of such a device for the hip joint. This task can be split into three parts: - Determination of what kind of support and in which phase of the gait cycle we would provide this to the patient. Major steps for this part are already been taken in a ongoing project (IPSA, integrated platform for spasticity assessment). This work will be done in association with the lab for gait analysis of the university hospital in Pellenberg. - Based on all available signals (e.g. emg or muscle activity, motion, force...) determine whether the patient is in a phase of the gait cycle where his or her disability prevents a normal gait pattern and some kind of support would improve this situation. We should also keep in mind that all these algorithms will be used in a portable device, so several issues (e.g. minimal energy consumption, safety...) should be examined. In this part cooperation with several other PhD. students of our group is possible. - Building such a device and bringing all the knowledge gained in the previous steps into practice. In order to use the device in real-life situations, all algorithms will be implemented on an embedded controller which can preform all necessary calculations in realtime. Other innovative features are light weight construction of the orthosis and selection of appropriate actuators. The demand from the medical sector to improve peoples lifes has never been so big as today. And the technology is ready to solve all of the problems mentioned above, the only have to be put into practice... I have been impressed with the urgency of doing. Knowing is not enough, we must apply. Being willing is not enough, we must do. - Leonardo Da Vinci The research is promoted by Prof H. Bruyninckx at the Department of Mechanical Engineering Department from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Belgium. I also have a very close relationship with the lab for gait analysis at the university hospital in Pellenberg. |
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Personal Stuff-- UNDER CONSTRUCTION -- |