Intelligent Trunk Corset to Support Rollover of Cancer Bone Metastasis Patients

Based on a pneumatic artificial rubber muscle (PARM) to restrict trunk-twisting range of motion (ROM), an intelligent trunk corset was developed to support the rollover movement of cancer bone metastasis patients. The specifications of the intelligent corset were determined so that it could perform in the same way as a traditional hard corset. Furthermore, based on the permitted trunk twist angle derived from interviews with hospital nurses, systems of the intelligent corset were evaluated for detecting the intention of rollover using the electromyogram (EMG) signal, recognizing rollover by an original neural network, and restricting trunk ROM using PARM. Through experimentation, the effectiveness of the intelligent corset in rollover movements was confirmed by comparing its capability to restrict ROM with that of the customized hard corset. Additionally, it was found that the intelligent corset solved the constant strong pressure problem that patients have with the hard corset. In the future, the targeted rollover movements will be expanded to include the unconscious movements made during sleep, and a clinical test will be conducted to confirm the effectiveness of the intelligent corset.