The performance characteristics of four 24-inch wheelchair tires are considered; one pneumatic and three airless. Specifically, two new airless polyurethane foam tires (circular and tapered cross-section) were compared to both a molded polyisoprene tire and a rubber pneumatic tire. Rolling resistance, coefficient of static friction, spring rate, tire roll-off, impact absorption, wear resistance...

After total hip (THR) or knee replacement (TKR), there is still an appreciable risk of developing deep-vein thrombosis despite prophylaxis with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH). In a prospective, randomised study we examined the efficacy of LMWH in combination with intermittent pneumatic compression in patients undergoing primary unilateral THR or TKR. We administered 40 mg of enoxaparin dai...

This study aimed to develop a novel 3D parallel mechanism robot driven by three vertical-axial pneumatic actuators with a stereo vision system for path tracking control. The mechanical system and the control system are the primary novel parts for developing a 3D parallel mechanism robot. In the mechanical system, a 3D parallel mechanism robot contains three serial chains, a fixed base, a movabl...

This article presents the development and control of a novel hybrid controlled vertical climbing robot based on Pneumatic Muscle Actuators (PMAs). PMAs are highly non– linear pneumatic actuators where their elongation is proportional to the internal pressure. The vertical sliding of the robot is based on four PMAs and through the combined and sequential contraction–extension of the pneumatic mu...

ADROIT Manipulation platform is a pneumatically actuated, tendon driven 28 degree of freedom platform being developed for investigating complex hand manipulation behaviors. ADROIT derives its unique capabilities, necessary to support dynamic and dexterous manipulation, from a custom designed high performance pneumatic actuation system for tendon driven hands. The custom pneumatic actuation syst...

This paper presents a nonlinear optimal control scheme for a mechatronic system that consists of a guided carriage and an antagonistic pair of pneumatic muscles as actuators. Modelling leads to a system of nonlinear differential equations including polynomial approximations of the volume characteristic as well as the force characteristic of the pneumatic muscles. The proposed control has a casc...

The treatment of venous ulcers has remained largely unchanged for centuries. The application of properly applied graduated compression bandages, the use of graduated compression stockings, and surgery have been shown to achieve healing. However, some ulcers persist despite appropriate management. A randomized study was undertaken to compare two regimens of treatment for such patients. Both regi...

CONTEXT Pneumatic dilatation and surgical (Heller) myotomy are the 2 principal methods for treatment of achalasia. There are no population-based studies comparing outcomes of these 2 treatments in typical practice settings. OBJECTIVE To compare the outcomes of pneumatic dilatation and surgical myotomy for achalasia. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS Retrospective longitudinal study using li...

This paper proposes a variation on a sliding mode control approach that provides significant energy savings for the control of pneumatic servo systems. The control methodology is formulated by first decoupling the standard four-way spool valve used for pneumatic servo control into two three-way valves, then using the resulting two control degrees of freedom to simultaneously satisfy both the sl...