Invention Description
Back injuries are among the most prevalent injuries, with an annual economic burden between $200-$300 billion in the US. Overexertion is a major contributing factor to back injuries. Back support devices (BSDs) have the potential to reduce overexertion in industrial tasks and may assist people with reduced trunk muscle strength during daily activities. BSDs can be classified according to actuation and rigidity, and each category has its advantages and disadvantages. While state-of-the-art active BSDs can offer a high assistive force, they are bulky and heavy, making them uncomfortable for daily use. On the contrary, passive BSDs are compact but need manual adjustment to be versatile. A mismatch between device force and task demands can contribute to discomfort and movement restriction.
Researchers at Arizona State University have developed a hybrid back support device that integrates a variable-stiffness resistance band with a slack-tuning mechanism, allowing users to easily adjust force and comfort levels. Featuring soft components such as an origami muscle for slack adjustment and teethed layer jamming structures for stiffness control, the device is lightweight, portable, and adaptable for various tasks including squatting and stooping. This device has the potential to mitigate overexertion in industrial tasks and also to provide assistance to people with weak back muscle strength in daily activity. Because the stiffness is tunable, it enables the selection of a task-specific force profile which ensures that the device enables unhindered movement when assistance is not required. Compared with rigid devices, this device's compliance can potentially increase human comfort.
This compact, tunable back support device combines adjustable stiffness and slack to enhance comfort and support during industrial and daily activities.
Potential Applications
- Wearable support in occupational and industrial settings requiring frequent squatting or stooping tasks associated with trunk flexion
- Assistive devices for elderly individuals and those with muscle weakness
- Rehabilitation and physical therapy aids
- Consumer health and wellness markets focusing on back support
Benefits and Advantages
- Compact and lightweight design enhances user comfort
- Tunable stiffness allows customized assistance for different tasks
- Combination of active and passive elements optimizes performance
- Untethered operation with integrated pneumatic and electronic systems
- Enables unhindered movement when support is not needed
- Easy adaptability without manual component changes
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