Application 157 - Robotic Leg Rehabilitation Device

Application Summary

The loss of walking is certainly devastating to an individual. Gait training and rehabilitation are not modern concepts, but through modern technologies, engineers and researchers are working on developing exoskeletons to help rehabilitate a patient at a more accelerated pace. Critical line tension force measurements are gathered during development of motor-assisted exoskeletons to ensure that proper assistance is given at different stages of treatment.

Products in Use

JR S-Beam Load Cell (LSB200) paired with instrumentation (USB220 and IAA Series analog amplifiers).

How it Works

1. The LSB200 JR. S-Beam load cell is mounted inline of the tension wire.
2. The LSB200 load cell will measure tension forces while patient’s legs while walking/moving.
3. Measurement feedback collected from the LSB200 can be used to diagnose the current status of the patient and track future improvements.
4. These measurements can be streamed from the USB220 up to 4,800 samples per second to a PC for data capture and analysis.
5. Or the the load cell outputs can be amplified to a PLC with the IAA Series analog amplifiers.

Futek Demonstrates using LEGO

Futek demonstrates three load cell applications using LEGO®!

You read that right. For the MD&M West trade show this year, Futek decided to have some interactive applications at their booth; and instead of using aluminum or stainless steel, they constructed them entirely out of LEGO bricks!

In this three part video, the first application is an infusion pump/syringe test stand. Futek has attached a motor to a crank that creates a pushing/pulling motion. This motion is applied to the plunger of the syringe, which allows it to take in and push out water (or any other fluid). In line, between the plunger and the crank, is an LSB200 Miniature S-Beam Load Cell that measures the force exerted onto the plunger. 

The next application features Futek's LCM100 Miniature In-Line Load Cell in a pulley system to measure the tension created from the crane's payload. The tensile force will be immediately visible on Futeks IHH500 Handheld Display.

And lastly, what you are seeing here is a marble loaded onto a ramp and rolling down onto a sensing platform. The sensing platform has the LLB130 Miniature Load Button centered underneath, which measures the weight of the marble as it is loaded onto it. The load cell outputs a value (mV/V), which is amplified by the IDA100 Digital Amplifier (VDC), and then fed into the Arduino. The Arduino makes the decision if the marble is classified as "heavy" or "light". Once the distinction is made, it sends a command to the LEGO motor to sort the marble into the appropriate bin.

But seeing is believing. So take a look at these videos!