Arm Movement Analysis in Human Daily Life for Improving Durability of Artificial Elbow Joint

Abstract

Human movement data can contribute to the quality improvement of industrial and medical products affected by such movement. Such data can be used to improve the quality of industrial products as well as in healthcare applications, such as the development of artificial joints. To develop and design artificial joints with enhance durability, it is necessary to set up standards of durability using human movement data in daily life. The aim of this study is to obtain data that contributes to the improvement in durability of artificial elbow joints. We have developed a wearable device that can measure its self-acceleration, angular velocity, and quaternions to collect human movement data continuously for long-term. Additionally, we collected the arm movement data of 30 participants using the developed device. The participants of this study carried on with their normal lives with the measuring device worn on their wrist. This study calculated the posture of the wrist over time using quaternions and mainly analyzed posture changes. We clarified the characteristics and trends of the movement of bending the elbow in daily human life.