Sensor Design and New Material for an Intelligent System for People with Musculoskeletal Tension Problems

Abstract

The purpose of the current research is the use of new materials and sensors for the Design supports system, reducing efforts for people with problems on musculoskeletal system. The problem also include the damage prevention in back and spine, due for transport of heavy loads on military activities, or activities that include heavy elements transport. The need of transport of heavy elements in certain professional areas, has developed the advancement of transportation devices, in order to avoid temporary injury and discomfort that can range from a few hours, to resentment in the bone tissue and Muscle permanently. This case is even more common on military staff, since the military exercise normally requires mobilizing survival equipment, ammunition, ballistic, computer and communication systems, over long distances, which often exceed the resistance limits of the soldiers, causing temporal harm in most cases, but can become permanent without proper care. The specific objective of this research is to use physiological measurements and modern design techniques for the construction and validation of a novel ergonomic system for people with musculoskeletal problems, to avoid injury in back and spine, without degrading performance in work or proper military exercise by increased comfort and strength of musculoskeletal system of the soldiers and workers; using methods that promote improvements in critical aspects of the exercise of mobilization of heavy loads, with better load distribution in different parts of the body and an external support. This technology is often used for people with musculoskeletal damage. The use of special adapted sensor systems allow measuring physiological conditions allow improving results regarding the models used currently (suitcases, backpacks, belts, etc.), allowing focus in the design process, reducing injury rates and the distribution load in accordance with the nature of it, the type of support in which this is to mobilize and phenotype of the Colombian population. The design process will be addressed by searching of optimization of the cost and improvement of the physical and functional characteristics of the prototype, by making harmless and noninvasive tests on potential end users and taking account of expert opinions, to ensure that the prototype provides protection and support expected.