A Novel Walking-Aid for Paralytic Patients Caused due to Stroke

Abstract

The aim of this project is to fabricate an economical walking aid for Paralytic patients caused due to a stroke. The Paralysis caused due to stroke is referred as Hemiplegia or Hemiparesis. In general these patients walk with the assistance of another person. The patient first moves his unaffected leg as the assistant holds him firmly to give him support. Then the assistant pushes the impaired leg of the patient with his own leg while supporting him with his hands. In this way walking is achieved for the hemiplegic patient. To eliminate human assistance, the patient can also use a wheel chair to move from one place to another, especially the Autonomous Robotic Wheelchairs (ARW) that are being used these days. However, in order to gain back his motor capabilities, he should promote the use of hemi paretic limb during functional tasks. Active participation is critical to the motor learning and recovery. So designing a mechanism which enables movements on paralyzed body is crucial for functioning of other parts of the body as this prevents blood stagnation due to continuous rest given to specific parts. A DC motor along with some pulleys are used for actuating the leg and a telescopic tripod wheeled balancing support is used for providing counter-torque that helps the person from falling down on paralyzed side.