■Points and needs of research

Early rehabilitation to start functional recovery training in the acute phase is effective for diseases with motor impairment. We will aim to further clinical application of the "unlocked walking training system (AirGait) using pneumatic artificial muscle", "the relief type walking assistance device that induces upper limb movement" developed so far. Also, in order to realize new cell engineering treatments using iPS cells and the like which have been developed in recent years, it is essential to develop rehabilitation techniques for this. For AirGait, we will develop a walking training system using animal experiments, advance physiological analysis, and promote optimization.
In addition, although prosthetic brace has been used as a prescription for early rehabilitation for various motor function disorders, all the productions are made to order, the technology relies on the traditional skill of prosthetic orthotist. Following the quantification of the skill of the prosthesis orthotist considered thus far, verification by the finite element method and actual measurement, we aim to develop a design support system (CAD / CAM) using 3D printers.

１．Realization of early rehabilitation

・Decision, design, prototype development concept for motor function disorder※

・Evaluation experiments for healthy subjects, Improvement of prototype

・Clinical application experiment for elderly people and people with disabilities, Final completion form

２．Promotion of Neuro-Rehabilitation Research

・Design and prototype of training system for laboratory animals for motor function disorder※

・Neurophysiological evaluation by NIRS, EEG measurement, transcranial magnetic stimulation, etc.

・Evaluation experiment with experimental animals

・Verification of prototype in cooperation with collaborative research, completion of training system for laboratory animals

３．Efficiency improvement of custom made prosthetic appliances

・Quantification of skill of prosthesis orthotist, simulation by finite element method (FEM), actual measurement of technician's socket stress

・Design assistance through collaboration with prosthetic brace manufacturing factories and 3D printer makers

・Database construction for design support system development, prototype development

・Evaluation experiment by prosthetic orthotist and prosthetic appliance user, system improvement

※Motor dysfunction due to stroke hemiplegia, spinal cord injury, Parkinson's disease, etc. is assumed