Design and simulation of an active bilateral orthosis for paraplegics

Most wheelchair users suffer physical, social and psychological health adverse consequences. In order to cope with these problems, orthosis and prosthesis have been developed in order to assist and provide a better quality life for these people. An active bilateral orthosis can support and induce bipedal locomotion for people with lower limb paralysis. The design and simulation of Cinabo, an active bilateral orthosis based on static and kinematic analysis, a finite element analysis (FEA) and a validation in Matlab to achieve a functional structure, is presented in this work. The main goal is to develop a rehabilitation tool to maintain active remnant bio-structures to keep or restore the lower limbs in healthy conditions through basic movement patterns of bipedal gait and posture modifications. According to the results, the physical model of the active bilateral orthosis will provide the functions needed to solve the important problem of health due to collateral lesions caused by immobility.