重度身体障害者のための自立形トランスファ・システムの開発

Abstract

We have developed a transfer aid system (named TS-1) for the severely handicapped person. In this transfer aid system two electric motors are used as lifting and traveling power sources, and magnetic powder clutch mechanism as lifting power transmission system. The transmitting torque through the magnetic powder clutch is proportinal to the quantity of current supplied to the magnetic powder. When this system starts to lift the load up and down, the quantity of current to the magnetic powder is controlled to increase or decrease gradually. Consequently, using such a clutch mechanism, the transfer aid system can lift the patient up and down very smoothly. Moreover, the torque for lifting is automatically balanced against the weight of the load. Consequently, when a helper lifts the patient up and down using this system, he can perform the task under the state of nongravitation, as it were. We set up the transfer aid system at the house of a patient with a high spinal cord injury (level C5), and contrived the operation switches, hanger and slings for him so that he could use them himself. As a result, he was able to transfer himself from bed to wheelchair and vice versa without the help of others. In addition, he had been trying to put on and take off his clothes by himself, and was able to take his trousers and underpants off using the transfer aid system and other self-help devices. This system was very useful for helpers, too. By using this system when giving the patient a bath, the burden of helpers has been greatly lightened.