Cane Tip Research Articles

Proposal for Cane Tip Position to Achieve Both High Stability and Low Joint Torque Using Inverse Dynamics Analysis in T-Cane Gait

T-cane is a primary method used to prevent falls. Although canes effectively increase stability and reduce load, the specific position of the cane tip that maximizes these effects is not yet clear. Furthermore, the cane tip position that enhances effectiveness may also increase the burden on the user. In this study, we used the center of pressure (CoP) as an indicator of stability and shoulder joint adduction torque as an indicator of burden. In this study, we propose a cane tip position that increases the stability of the cane user, but does not increase the burden, through experiment. The experiment involved healthy young male participants. The results confirmed that the CoP increased with the cane tip position. The shoulder joint adduction torque increased with the cane tip position and then remained constant. The results suggest that the participants can walk with higher stability per load when the cane tip was positioned 30 cm in front of the right foot on the ground.

Surface roughness discrimination with the long cane: Effects of cane tips, handle, shaft rigidity, and swinging speed

This study examined the effects of cane tip type, cane tip size, cane shaft rigidity, cane handle material, and cane swing speed on the cane user’s ability to discriminate surfaces of different roughness. A repeated-measures design with block randomization was used for each of the three studies. Blindfolded sighted and visually impaired participants attempted to identify which of the two grooved aluminum plates was rougher by swiping the plates using different cane tips, shafts, handles, and swing speeds. Participants correctly identified the rougher plate at a higher percentage with smaller cane tips (77.6% ± 8.7%) than with larger cane tips (72.1% ± 7.2%), p = .029, r = .54. Pencil tips (76.9% ± 8.4%) were more advantageous than ball tips (72.8% ± 6.5%), p = .028, r = .55. Slower cane swing speed (84.4% ± 2.6%) also allowed the participants to better discriminate the surfaces than faster swing speed (76.6% ± 6.0%), p = .002, r = .80. However, the cane shaft rigidity ( p = .499, r = .22) and cane handle material ( p = .694. w2 = 0.02) did not have a significant effect on the cane user’s ability to discriminate the surfaces of different roughness. Given these findings, a cane user may want to use a smaller and/or cylindrical cane tip as opposed to larger and/or spherical cane tip for better surface texture change detection. In addition, a cane user may not want to swing the cane too wide or walk too fast since wider cane swing and faster walking speed tend to result in faster cane swing speed, which can compromise one’s ability to detect sudden changes in walking surface texture. That being said, an Orientation and Mobility (O&M) specialist should assess each person’s traveling environment when determining which cane tip and swing speed to use in a given situation.

Problems with traditional rubber cane tips and cane tip design based on the human ankle–foot mechanism

Canes are mobility devices used by people who have some walking problems and want to move independently in areas where they cannot use wheelchairs easily. The traditional rubber tips are more prone to fall injuries. Few studies have concluded that using a cane can fall due to skidding or off–balancing. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 45 users (who were the present user of a walking stick) to find the problems associated with traditional rubber tips and their relation with fall or skidding. To reduce the problem with traditional rubber tips, a newer design was proposed based on human ankle behavior to reduce falling/skidding and increase slip angle for independent walk on–ramp surface. The survey results show that traditional rubber tip (35%) was more prone to fall and skid accidents. People required more assistance on–ramp surface (38%) than a straight surface (35%). The mathematical model and simulation result shows that the new design mimics the mechanism of the normal human ankle. The findings showed that by using the human ankle mechanism, the functioning of canes on–ramp surfaces can be improved, and users' mobility needs may be better met.

Assessment of the effects of white cane variables on step symmetry of blind individuals.

Step symmetry is an important feature of human gait and is often regarded as a key index of healthy individuals' walking. This study evaluated the effects of height, white cane technique, and cane tip on symmetrical gait in blind individuals. Twenty blind and ten sighted subjects, aged 15-38 years, participated in this study. The harmonic ratio (HR) and improved HR (iHR) were measured by trunk accelerometer as gait symmetry index in three axes: anteroposterior (AP), vertical, and mediolateral of the body. These parameters were measured in the sighted group in open-eye conditions and in the blind group in five experimental conditions with different two heights (standard and long), two tips (pencil and roller), and two techniques (two-point touch and constant contact) of white cane when they walked in the 6-m path. There was a significant difference between HR and iHR of the blind and sighted group, which indicates a significant reduction of symmetry loss in the blind group. Among the five different conditions studied in the group of blind people, an increase was observed in the HR and the iHR on the AP axis during the application of a standard cane with a roller tip, which indicated an increase in symmetry. Based on the results, a long cane with a pencil tip and a standard cane with a roller tip in the constant contact technique can increase step symmetry.

Suggestions Cane Tip Position Enhancing MoS Based on Mechanical Models

Suggestions Cane Tip Position Enhancing MoS Based on Mechanical Models

Analysis of the Relationship between Cane Tip Position and Load to for Effective Cane Operation Guidance

Analysis of the Relationship between Cane Tip Position and Load to for Effective Cane Operation Guidance

White Cane-Type Holdable Device Using Illusory Pulling Cues for Orientation & Mobility Training

For visually impaired people, a white cane is an important aid for obtaining information about the surrounding environment. Although the visually impaired should attend this training by orientation & mobility (O&M) specialists to learn proper cane technique, the number of specialists is limited. In our previous study, we developed a training system that enabled the visually impaired to learn white cane techniques using illusory pulling cues. In the previous prototype system, a cane grip-type device was developed with a built-in vibrator to generate asymmetric vibration stimuli, and illusory pulling cues were fed according to the position of the cane tip. Although the prototype system showed positive results, issues related to the lack of user-friendliness of the device associated with the wired drive and the impractical gripping method were observed. This study developed a more practical white-cane-type device for O&M training, envisioning independent training for the visually impaired, which improved the above-mentioned issues. Specifically, the device was wireless and had a vibration mechanism for the gripping method of the general cane technique, and its validity was demonstrated by evaluation experiments. In addition, the paper explains the usefulness of the device as per discussion with active O&M specialists. The results of the evaluation experiments indicated that the devices were implemented to satisfy the requirements for cane training.

An Analysis of the Functions Required for the White Cane Tips

An Analysis of the Functions Required for the White Cane Tips

Proposal of method for assessment of anterior position of cane tip for fall prevention during walking by elderly people based on model with dynamic pair

Proposal of method for assessment of anterior position of cane tip for fall prevention during walking by elderly people based on model with dynamic pair

Biogas production from cattle manure and sugar cane tip (Saccharum officinarum)

The purpose was to study the use of bovine manure mixed with sugarcane tip (Saccharum officinarum) in the production of biogas. A semicontinuous biodigester prototype of 1.7 m long and 6 in. diameter was designed and built with CPVC material. The waste was collected fresh for physical-chemical characterization, based on basic laboratory methods. Then the prototype was put into operation under controlled conditions. The biodigester was fed in two moments: the first, with 200 g of manure diluted in 750 ml of water and the second with a mixture of 200 g of manure and 50 g of cane tip, diluted in 750 ml of water. Finally, the volume of biogas produced and its quality were measured, with a water column pressure gauge and with a 540 multitec device, respectively. The results show that manure with the cane tip generates more biogas, this is attributed to the higher percentage of volatile solids in the mixture, whose organic components were converted to methane. The biogas production studied is a management option for waste from the agricultural sector and thus mitigate CO2 emissions in the region.

A protocol for selection of Trichoderma spp. to protect grapevine pruning wounds against Lasiodiplodia theobromae.

There is no standardized protocol to select Trichoderma against trunk disease pathogens in grapevine. This study describes a protocol to select Trichoderma isolates for protecting the pruning wounds of grapevine against Lasiodiplodia theobromae. Thus, four assays were performed: (1) in vitro antagonism of Trichoderma isolates, molecularly identified, to control L. theobromae; (2) in vitro effect of grapevine fungicides on the conidia of the antagonists; (3) capability of Trichoderma to survive and endophytically penetrate in grapevine canes; and (4) efficiency of Trichoderma and fungicides to protect the pruning wounds of grapevine shoots against L. theobromae. T. asperelloides (02/03), T. koningiopsis (09/02), and T. asperellum (01/13) were the best antagonists for L. theobromae. The conidia of the three isolates were affected only by tebuconazole, with the first two fungi being the most tolerant to the fungicides. The Trichoderma isolates survived on the cane tip for 15days, but only T. asperelloides (02/03) penetrated endophytically 4cm in the cane and showed preventive and curative capability to control L. theobromae, with similar efficiency as that of the fungicides in both the periods tested post inoculation. These four assays are suggested to select Trichoderma against L. theobromae or other trunk disease pathogens.

Obstacle Detection with the Long Cane: Effect of Cane Tip Design and Technique Modification on Performance

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of cane tip design and cane technique modification on obstacle detection performance as they interact with the size, height, and position of obstacles. A repeated-measures design with block randomization was used for the study. In experiment one, participants attempted to detect obstacles with either a marshmallow tip or a bundu basher tip. In experiment two, participants were asked to detect obstacles using either the constant-contact technique or a modified constant-contact technique. As predicted, the obstacle detection rate with the bundu basher tip (M = 66.1%, SD = 7.4%) was significantly higher than that with the marshmallow tip (M = 54.6%, SD =6.8%), F(1, 11) = 24.19, p < .001, r = .83. However, contrary to our hypothesis, the obstacle detection rate with the modified constant-contact technique (M =56.0%, SD = 7.4%) was significantly lower than that with the constant-contact technique (M = 61.3%, SD = 5.2%), F(1, 13) = 6.49, p = .024, r = .58. In addition, participants detected the obstacles that were positioned at the center of their walking path (M = 61.9%, SD = 6.6%) at a significantly higher rate than those positioned slightly off to the side (M = 55.4%, SD = 7.3%), F(1, 13) =10.73, p = .006, r = .67. A bundu basher tip was more advantageous than the marshmallow tip for detecting obstacles. Given the findings of the study, cane users and orientation and mobility (O&M) specialists should consider using or recommending a bundu basher tip (or a similar tip that has an increased contact area with the walking surface), particularly when the traveling environment often presents unexpected obstacles that may trip the cane user.

Comparison of the Effect of Cane, Tripod Cane Tip, and Quad Cane on Postural Steadiness in Healthy Older Adults

ABSTRACT Objectives Previous studies have shown that use of assistive devices may contribute to loss of balance and increased risk of falls. The purpose of this study was to compare postural steadiness of older adults using straight cane, tripod, and quad cane. Methods Sixteen healthy older adults (8 men, 8 women; age, 62–84 years) were recruited. Analyses focused on mean and root-mean-square distances from the mean center of pressure position, 95% confidence circle area, total power, 95% power frequencies, and centroidal frequency of the sway signal. Results Significant improvements in postural steadiness were found when the tripod cane tip was used as compared with straight cane. All measured variables of postural steadiness with the tripod cane tip, however, were significantly below those of the quad cane. Discussion The findings suggest that use of the tripod cane tip can significantly improve postural steadiness over use of the straight cane. Our findings, however, suggest that tripod canes provide less level of postural steadiness than quad canes.

Basic Study of the Influence of the Manner of Grasping, Number of Contacts, and Auditory Information on Recognition of Hardness of Objects by Visually Impaired Persons Using White Canes

White canes are widely used as tools to assist visually impaired persons to walk. The white cane is used to acquire environmental information as a clue for walking. It is important to know what information can be acquired by using the cane, how accurate the acquired information is, and how we can improve the information and accuracy. Clarification of these questions would contribute to development of white canes that enable better acquisition of environmental information. It would also assist in the design of buildings with appropriate guidance for visually impaired persons on the basis of information acquired through the canes. In this study, in order to acquire basic knowledge about hardness recognition, experiments were performed using four conditions: 1) Tapping or pushing the object with the index finger tip and white cane tip, 2) use or non-use of the auditory sense to study its usefulness, 3) different ways of grasping the cane, and 4) different number of checks. Nine visually impaired persons who usually walked alone using white canes participated in the experiments. They estimated the hardness of a rubber sheet under various combinations of the operation conditions and hearing conditions. Results showed that the number of checks had little effect on the user’s estimation of the hardness of the sheet. For the recognition of the contact target hardness using the white cane, it was effective to simultaneously use information from different modalities, namely tactile and auditory information. We also observed that, when pushing the cane with the index fingers, the users could feel the objects as if they had directly touched them with the fingers.

Haptic Cues for Balance: Use of a Cane Provides Immediate Body Stabilization.

Haptic cues are important for balance. Knowledge of the temporal features of their effect may be crucial for the design of neural prostheses. Touching a stable surface with a fingertip reduces body sway in standing subjects eyes closed (EC), and removal of haptic cue reinstates a large sway pattern. Changes in sway occur rapidly on changing haptic conditions. Here, we describe the effects and time-course of stabilization produced by a haptic cue derived from a walking cane. We intended to confirm that cane use reduces body sway, to evaluate the effect of vision on stabilization by a cane, and to estimate the delay of the changes in body sway after addition and withdrawal of haptic input. Seventeen healthy young subjects stood in tandem position on a force platform, with eyes closed or open (EO). They gently lowered the cane onto and lifted it from a second force platform. Sixty trials per direction of haptic shift (Touch → NoTouch, T-NT; NoTouch → Touch, NT-T) and visual condition (EC-EO) were acquired. Traces of Center of foot Pressure (CoP) and the force exerted by cane were filtered, rectified, and averaged. The position in space of a reflective marker positioned on the cane tip was also acquired by an optoelectronic device. Cross-correlation (CC) analysis was performed between traces of cane tip and CoP displacement. Latencies of changes in CoP oscillation in the frontal plane EC following the T-NT and NT-T haptic shift were statistically estimated. The CoP oscillations were larger in EC than EO under both T and NT (p < 0.001) and larger during NT than T conditions (p < 0.001). Haptic-induced effect under EC (Romberg quotient NT/T ~ 1.2) was less effective than that of vision under NT condition (EC/EO ~ 1.5) (p < 0.001). With EO cane had little effect. Cane displacement lagged CoP displacement under both EC and EO. Latencies to changes in CoP oscillations were longer after addition (NT-T, about 1.6 s) than withdrawal (T-NT, about 0.9 s) of haptic input (p < 0.001). These latencies were similar to those occurring on fingertip touch, as previously shown. Overall, data speak in favor of substantial equivalence of the haptic information derived from both “direct” fingertip contact and “indirect” contact with the floor mediated by the cane. Cane, finger and visual inputs would be similarly integrated in the same neural centers for balance control. Haptic input from a walking aid and its processing time should be considered when designing prostheses for locomotion.

Acoustic wayfinding: A method to measure the acoustic contrast of different paving materials for blind people

Acoustic wayfinding involves using a variety of auditory cues to create a mental map of the surrounding environment. For blind people, these auditory cues become the primary substitute for visual information in order to understand the features of the spatial context and orient themselves. This can include creating sound waves, such as tapping a cane.This paper reports the results of a research about the “acoustic contrast” parameter between paving materials functioning as a cue and the surrounding or adjacent surface functioning as a background.A number of different materials was selected in order to create a test path and a procedure was defined for the verification of the ability of blind people to distinguish different acoustic contrasts.A method is proposed for measuring acoustic contrast generated by the impact of a cane tip on the ground to provide blind people with environmental information on spatial orientation and wayfinding in urban places.

Drop-off detection with the long cane: effect of cane shaft weight and rigidity on performance

Most travellers who are blind rely on a long cane to detect drop-offs on their walking paths. We examined how different cane shaft materials affect drop-off detection performance through providing different vibrotactile and proprioceptive feedbacks to the cane user. Results of the study showed a significant interaction between cane shaft weight and how the cane is used. A heavier cane was advantageous for detecting drop-offs when the individual used the ‘constant contact technique’ – cane tip stays in contact with the walking surface at all times – but not when he used the ‘two-point touch technique’ – cane tip is rhythmically tapped on the surface. In addition, a more flexible cane was advantageous for detecting drop-offs when the two-point touch technique was used but not when the constant contact technique was used. It is recommended that, when blind individuals select a cane shaft material, they consider which long cane technique they use more often.Practitioner Summary: Long cane shaft material affects how well a blind individual can detect drop-offs. A heavier shaft was advantageous when using the constant contact technique (cane tip stays in continuous contact with the surface), while a more flexible shaft was better when using the two-point touch technique (cane tip rhythmically taps the surface).

Travel in Adverse Winter Weather Conditions by Blind Pedestrians: Effect of Cane Tip Design on Travel on Snow

Winter weather creates many orientation and mobility challenges for people who are visually impaired (Couturier & Ratelle, 2010; Welsh & Wiener, 1976). Snow cover obscures familiar tactile clues, makes it more difficult to manipulate the long cane, and alters one's cane-based perception of the surroundings (Wall, 2001). Getting the cane tip stuck is one of the noticeable challenges when traveling in snow, particularly when the walking surface is covered in deep snow (Couturier & Ratelle, 2010; Welsh & Wiener, 1976). Having one's long cane get stuck may cause more frequent stops and starts, thereby increasing the time required to complete a given route. Such frequent stops and starts may also result in more steps being taken to cover a given distance which, in turn, may contribute to increased veering (Kallie, Schrater, & Legge, 2007). In addition, it appears that sticking can cause a traveler to veer from and can force the traveler's body to unintentionally turn from the intended line of travel (R. Savage, personal communication, April 2, 2015; M. Weessies, personal communication, April 2, 2015; S. Williams-Riseng, personal communication, December 10, 2014). Furthermore, cane sticking may cause frustration to the traveler by frequently disrupting a rhythmic cane swing (M. Ainsworth, personal communication, February 1, 2015; M. Jimenez, personal communication, February 1, 2015; N. Stanford, personal communication, January 31, 2015). Only a handful of studies have examined the effect of cane tip design on the frequency of sticking. La Grow, Kjeldstad, and Lewandowski (1988) found no significant difference in the frequency of sticking among the pencil, marshmallow, and curved tips when participants traveled on a sidewalk in a residential neighborhood. However, Pietrowicz (1987) and Robertson (1987) reported significantly fewer instances of sticking when using the marshmallow tip than when using the pencil tip on a rural road and residential sidewalk, respectively. In addition, Wang (1991) found the ball tip to be more effective than the marshmallow or metal glide tip in reducing the incidents of sticking in a rural area. However, we found no published studies that experimentally examined the effect of cane tip design on cane sticking when traveling on a snow-covered surface. The purpose of the present study is to examine how different cane tip designs affect the travel performance of blind pedestrians on a snow-covered surface. METHOD Study design and recruitment criteria A repeated-measures design with Latin Square counter-balancing was used for the study. Recruitment criteria included legal blindness with no other disabilities, familiarity with basic cane techniques, regular travel in winter (even when the ground is covered with snow), and enough stamina to walk a few blocks without resting. Apparatus Participants used identical canes of different lengths (Ambutech UltraLite Graphite Rigid Cane) with four different cane tips perceived to be advantageous in reducing the incident of sticking (at least on dry surfaces): (1) metal glide tip (Ambutech MT 4070), (2) marshmallow roller tip (Ambutech MT 4090), (3) roller ball tip (Ambutech MT 4061), and (4) bundu basher tip (Bevria ES 4274) (see Figure 1). A participant's cane length was assigned based on height: vertical distance from the ground to two inches above the participant's xiphoid process, as described in La Grow and Long (2011). [FIGURE 1 OMITTED] Research procedure Each participant signed the informed consent form approved by Western Michigan University's Human Subjects Institutional Review Board before participating in the study. Sleep shades (Mindfold Relaxation Mask) were worn by all participants during all trials (except for those with no light perception). A rectangular block in a residential neighborhood in Kalamazoo, Michigan, was selected for the study (see Figure 2). …

視覚障害児専用の白杖の開発と評価

The long cane has been the most widely used mobility aid for the visually impaired people in spite of many other aid systems. The purpose of this study was to investigate canes that are currently being used at the special needs education school for the visually impaired and to produce new long canes experimentally and evaluate it for visually impaired children. An 8-item-questionnaire was developed and distributed to 71 all the Japanese special needs education schools for the visually impaired. 83.1% subjects who received the questionnaire completed it properly. The new types of the long cane were assessed for their ability to transmit the vibration and their sensitivity to tactile information, flexibility, and durability. The materials that are used in new long cane shafts were carbon fiber, aluminum and composite material of carbon fiber and aluminum at three kinds of the most commonly used materials. The tips that are used in new long cane were standard (pencil), marshmallow, and teardrop at the types of three categories. According to questionnaire results, the visually impaired children tend to use a straight cane, and a rubber golf grip standard-type cane tip in the special needs education school for the visually impaired, even though there are many kinds of cane tips. In these experiments of the new long cane, it was found that the lightweight canes, the regulating mechanism of cane's lengths and the combination of tips and grip might be associated with a visually impaired children's performance.

Effect of Cane Technique on Obstacle Detection with the Long Cane

Modern long cane (also known as the white cane) techniques have changed little since their development in the 1940s. The two-point touch and the constant-contact techniques are the two used most widely by travelers who are blind. Regardless of which technique is used, obstacle detection, a key component of preview offered by a long cane (Blasch, La Grow, & De l'Aune, 1996), is crucial for the safety of blind travelers. When obstacles such as construction cones or toys left on the sidewalk are missed, they may trip the cane user, resulting in falls and consequent fall-induced injuries. Several recent studies have examined how different factors affect drop-off detection with the long cane. Cane users detected drop-offs more reliably when they used the constant-contact technique than when they used the two-point touch technique, particularly if they were inexperienced cane users respectively (Kim, Wall Emerson, & Curtis, 2009; Kim, Wall Emerson, & Curtis, 2010a). Younger cane users and those with earlier-onset visual impairments detected drop-offs better than older cane users and those with later-onset visual impairments (Kim, Wall Emerson, & Curtis, 2010b). However, drop-off detection performance with a standard marshmallow tip was similar to that with a marshmallow roller tip (Kim, Wall Emerson, & Curtis, 2010c). In addition, a cane length difference of 10 inches did not result in a significant difference in drop-off detection (Kim & Wall Emerson, 2012). In respect to obstacle detection, La Grow, Blasch, and De l'Aune (1997a) reported that participants achieved the greatest detection distance for foot-level objects (those that are not higher than the ankle) when the hand holding the cane was held at the midline and positioned below the waist. In another study, La Grow, Blasch, and De l'Aune (1997b) also documented that the two-point touch technique did not provide consistent surface previewing for four of seven participants. Wall and Ashmead (2002) found that pivoting the wrist when swinging the cane resulted in better body coverage than did moving the whole arm. The reliability of traditional cane techniques for detecting obstacles is of particular interest because some of the previous studies reported path coverage rates that were inadequately low (61-69%) when the participants used the two-point touch technique (Uslan, 1978; Wall & Ashmead, 2002). Although one orientation and mobility (OM La Grow & Long, 2011). What is of additional interest is whether the constant-contact technique indeed has an advantage over the two-point touch technique in detecting low obstacles. Such claims have been made by many cane users based on the fact that the cane tip stays in contact with the walking surface at all times when the constant-contact technique is used. However, these claims have been solely based on anecdotes and have not been examined empirically. The purpose of the present study was to examine how reliable the traditional cane techniques are for detecting obstacles and whether the type of cane technique affects obstacle detection as it interacts with the height of the obstacles. [FIGURE 1 OMITTED] METHOD Study design and recruitment criteria A repeated-measures design with block randomization was used for the study. We recruited 14 sighted students (7 female and 7 male) aged 22 to 62 (median age = 26) from Western Michigan University's (WMU) O&M program. The participants were familiar with both the two-point touch and the constant-contact techniques and their cane use experience ranged from one month to four months (median experience = four months). …