Kinematic Leg Therapy Device

Abstract

This project’s sponsor, Dr. Ben Dwamena, was a young aspiring engineering student in Ghana until he was encouraged down the medical path in his early schooling. Dr. Dwamena has no use of his legs and needs a wheelchair to move about. There are many downsides that are associated from this type of physical assistance: bed sores, muscle atrophy, poor blood circulation, kidney stones, and urinary health issues. Dr. Dwamena was able to purchase a standup wheelchair that helps with a few of these ailments, but he wanted to create a better wheelchair. To improve blood circulation, decrease muscle atrophy, and lessen the chances of bed sores, Dr. Dwamena asked the University of Michigan to create an automated leg moving device that would work in his stand up wheelchair. The device would mimic a stand-still walking motion while he is in the standing position in his wheelchair. This would help with all the alignments listed above. The objective of this project was to provide a more accessible and user friendly method of kinesiotherapy for individuals without the use of their legs.