Development of Active Support Splint Driven by Pneumatic Soft Actuator (ASSIST)

Abstract

In this study, in order to realize an assist of independent life for the elderly or people in need of care and relieve a physical burden for care worker, an active support splint driven by pneumatic soft actuator (ASSIST) has been developed. ASSIST consists of a plastic interface with the palm and arm and two rotary-type soft actuators put in both sides of appliance. McKibben type pneumatic rubber muscles are on the both sides of rotary-type soft actuators for relieving a restrained feeling when the device is not operated. In this paper, the structure of ASSIST is described, and then the effectiveness of this splint is experimentally discussed based on the experiments for movable range assist for the wrist.