The Method of Structural and Technological Synthesis of a Device for Rehabilitation of the Elbow Joint Based on 3D Modeling and the Process of Rapid Prototyping

Aleksey Efimovich Kobityansky and Alexander Olegovich Trofimov

The Perm National Research Polytechnic University, 29, Komsomolsky Ave., Perm, 614990, Russia

ABSTRACT: Designing and creating devices for rehabilitation of elbow joints is an actual and important problem. The purpose is to create a methodology for designing a mobile and relatively simple device that allows recovery of motor abilities of elbow joints, followed by its subsequent manufacturing using the method of rapid prototyping. The article considers various approaches to synthesis of such designs. Basing on the block diagrams, a number of devices have been offered. The methodology and the algorithm of synthesizing one of selected designs have been considered. The proposed device was synthesized on the basis of selecting mechanical analogues of the elements of elbow joints. A calculation scheme was developed and a three-dimensional model was created in the ASCON KOMPAS 3D V15 environment. Strength and deformation were calculated in the SolidWorks Simulation environment. Several loads and cross-sections relative shear curves were calculated, and patterns of deformation of each element of the device were obtained. A method of manufacturing the device using the process of rapid prototyping was proposed. This methodology allows to complete designing and engineering synthesis of the rehabilitative device that can be applied in medical practice and as an exercise machine in health groups and in some sports.

KEYWORDS: elbow joint; synthesis; prototyping; rehabilitation; device

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