Simulation of generic body weight support systems effects for assisted walking

Body Weight Support Systems (BWSSs) are used for medical rehabilitation of patients with lower limb impairments. A typical BWSS comprises a series of multi-body segments with dynamics that suit complex human movement, a relationship that is imperative due to subtle and close interaction with the human body. At present, challenges exist in accurately modeling human movement, human biomechanics and the interaction between the human body and a BWSS. This paper presents a method of using standard motion capture data, then applying Newtonian mechanics to create an easy to use, and useful simulation of ground reaction forces for simulation models of body weight support systems currently available. The challenge in modeling a body weight support system is accounting for the variable and often indeterminable ground reaction forces. In this paper the sum of ground reaction forces are utilised for simulation and evaluation of three different body weight support systems. Effective modelling of body weight support systems enables critical analysis of mechanical and control systems offline to the rehabilitation process.