Acta Medica Okayama 2004 Wearable power assist device for hand grasping using pneumatic artificial rubber muscle 655 660 EN Toshiro Noritsugu Hiroshi Yamamoto Daisuke Sasaki Masahiro Takaiwa <p>The purpose of this study is to develop a wearable power assist device for hand grasping in order to support activity of daily living (ADL) safely and easily. In this paper, the mechanism of the developed power assist device is described, and then the effectiveness of this device is discussed experimentally. </p> No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2 2003 Application of artificial pneumatic rubber muscles to a human friendly robot 2188 2193 EN Toshiro Noritsugu Daisuke Sasaki Masahiro Takaiwa <p>When robots work together with a human or contact with a human body directly in such as a medical welfare field, in order to avoid an accident from crash and so on, a flexibility is required for the robot. The purpose of this study is to realize a safe mechanism for a human-friendly robot. In this paper, the structure and the fundamental characteristics of a pneumatic rubber muscle and soft mechanism are described, and then the structure and the fundamental operation of the developed soft hand are shown. Finally, the shaking hands is discussed as an example of force communication tasks between a robot and a human. </p> No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2005 Development of Active Support Splint driven by Pneumatic Soft Actuator (ASSIST) 520 525 EN Daisuke Sasaki Toshiro Noritsugu Masahiro Takaiwa <p>In this study, in order to realize an assist of independent life for the elderly or people in need of care and relieve a physical burden for care worker, an active support splint driven by pneumatic soft actuator (ASSIST) has been developed. ASSIST consists of a plastic interface with the palm and arm and two rotary-type soft actuators put in both sides of appliance. In this paper, the fundamental characteristics of ASSIST is described, and then the effectiveness of this splint is experimentally discussed. Finally, the operation of ASSIST based on a human intention is described. </p> No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.

Acta Medica Okayama 2006 空気圧ソフトメカニズムを用いた生活支援ロボットの開発とその応用に関する研究 EN Daisuke Sasaki No potential conflict of interest relevant to this article was reported.