Pinpointed control of muscles by using power-assisting device

The aim of this paper is to arbitrarily modify the load force of any selected muscle by using an exoskeleton, thus enabling "pinpointed" motion support, rehabilitation, and training. An advanced dynamic model, called a musculoskeletal-exoskeletal integrated human model, is developed. The driving-forces of the pneumatic actuators are designated by a muscle force control algorithm using the integrated model. A prototype power-assisting system is developed using pneumatic rubber actuators. The feasibility of the muscle force control is analyzed from a view point of nonlinear programming. The validity of the method is confirmed by measuring surface electromyographic signals of related muscles.