Assistive technologies traditionally rely on either strong actuation or passive structures to provide users with increased strength, support or the ability to perform lost functions. At one end of the spectrum are powered exoskeletons, which significantly increase a user’s strength, but require strong actuators, complex control systems, and heavy power sources. At the other end are orthoses, which are generally unpowered and lightweight devices that rely on their structure’s mechanical behaviour to enhance user’s support and stability. Ideally, assistive technologies should achieve both systems’ characteristics by enhancing human motion abilities while remaining lightweight and efficient. This can be achieved by using distinctive actuators to harness gait energy, towards enhancing human mobility and performance. Pneumatic Artificial Muscles (PAMs), compliant and flexible, yet powerful and lightweight, present a unique set of characteristics compared to other mechanical actuators in human mobility applications. However, given the need of a compressor and power source, PAMs present a significant challenge, limiting their application. In contrast, PAMs can be implemented as unpowered actuators that act as non-linear elastic elements. This thesis aims to develop a wearable lightweight unpowered ankle exoskeleton, which relies on the PAM to harness gait energy and compliment the human ankle biomechanical abilities at the push off movement, thusly assisting the user in propelling the body forward during walking. Presently, limited PAM models have been developed to analyse PAM passive behaviour and to assist in designing and selecting the appropriate PAM for unpowered application. Thus, this thesis aims to develop a passive model for the PAM. To mechanically validate the proposed exoskeleton design, a prototype is fabricated, and tested within an Instron tensile machine setup. The unpowered exoskeleton has shown its ability to provide significant contribution to the ankle timed precisely to release at the push off phase of the gait cycle. Furthermore, the proposed PAM stiffness model is validated experimentally, and accounts for muscle pressure, geometry, material and stretching velocity. This enables the evaluation of the impact of various parameters on the muscle behaviour and designs the PAM accordingly for the unpowered ankle exoskeleton

Research within the field of human motion assistive device development, with the purpose of reducing the metabolic cost of daily activities, is seeing the benefits of the exclusive use of passive actuators to store and release energy during the gait cycle. Designs of novel exoskeletons at the University of Ottawa implement the Pneumatic Artificial Muscle (PAM) as the primary method of nonlinear, passive actuation. The PAM is proven as a superior actuator for these devices when compared to the linear mechanical springs used by other researchers. There are, however, challenges regarding PAM pressure loss and the limitation of PAM elongation that have been identified. This thesis aims to develop a hyperelastic tubular soft composite that replicates the distinctive mechanical behaviour of the PAM without the need for internal pressurization. The final soft composite solution was achieved by impregnating a prefabricated polyethylene terephthalate braided sleeve, held at a high initial fibre angle, with a silicone prepolymer. A comprehensive experimental evaluation was performed on numerous prototypes for a variety of customizable design parameters including: initial fibre angle, silicone stiffness, and braided sleeve style. Moreover, two separate analytical models were formulated based on incompressible finite elasticity theory using either a structural model of Holzapfel’s type, or a phenomenological model of Fung’s type. Both models were in good agreement with the experimental data that were collected through a modified extension-inflation test. This research has successfully developed, tested, and validated an innovative soft composite that can achieve specific mechanical properties, such as contraction distance and nonlinear stiffness, for optimal use in human motion assistive devices.

In recent years, soft materials have seen increased prevalence in the design of robotic systems and wearables capable of addressing the needs of individuals living with disabilities. In particular, pneumatic artificial muscles (PAMs) have readily been employed in place of electromagnetic actuators due to their ability to produce large forces and motions, while still remaining lightweight, compact, and flexible. Due to the inherent nonlinearity of PAMs however, additional external or embedded sensors must be utilized in order to effectively control the overall system. In the case of external sensors, the bulkiness of the overall system is increased, which places limits on the system’s design. Meanwhile, the traditional cylindrical form factor of PAMs limits their ability to remain compact and results in overly complex fabrication processes when embedded fibers and/or sensing elements are required to provide efficient actuation and control. In order to overcome these limitations, this thesis proposed the design of flat pneumatic artificial muscles (FPAMs) capable of being fabricated using a simple layered manufacturing process, in which water-soluble masks were utilized to create collapsed air chambers. Furthermore, hyperelastic deformation models were developed to approximate the mechanical performance of the FPAMs and were verified through experimental characterization. The feasibility of these design techniques to meet the requirements of human centered applications, including the suppression of hand tremors and catheter ablation procedures, was explored and the potential for these soft actuation systems to act as solutions in other real world applications was demonstrated. We expect the design, fabrication, and modeling techniques developed in this thesis to aid in the development of future wearable devices and motivate new methods for researchers to employ soft pneumatic systems as solutions in human-centered applications.

Quando as atividades de um sistema mecatrônico são realizadas em ambientes com intenso campo elétrico e ou magnético, os dispositivos que irão executar as tarefas devem ser cuidadosamente projetados para que a presença de peças metálicas não se torne um risco. O campo elétrico pode gerar descargas elétricas e o campo magnético, exercer forças não previstas sobre peças metálicas. Assim o uso de alguns elementos, como motores elétricos, peças metálicas ou sensores eletrônicos se torna inviável. A motivação inicial para esse trabalho foi encontrar um atuador que possa ser construído sem o uso de elementos metálicos e com ele, construir um manipulador inerte a campos magnéticos e elétricos. Neste contexto, a transmissão de energia para os atuadores por meios hidráulicos ou pneumáticos se torna a opção mais indicada. Frequentemente, sistemas pneumáticos e hidráulicos apresentam atuadores com componentes metálicos, devido a resistência mecânica destes componentes. Em situações na qual os requisitos quanto a esforços são menores, elementos metálicos podem ser substituídos por materiais poliméricos de uso comum na Engenharia. Entre os atuadores hidráulicos e pneumáticos, um que já apresenta poucas partes metálicas é o músculo pneumático artificial (MPA). O MPA possui características tais como: baixo peso relacionado ao esforço gerado, escala de esforços similar a um cilindro pneumático de mesmo tamanho e construção simples. Assim, o MPA foi escolhido como atuador para o manipulador não-condutor desenvolvido neste trabalho. Adotando o MPA como elemento central, este trabalho tem por objetivo identificar as diretrizes para a aplicação do MPA na construção de um manipulador inerte a campos elétricos e magnéticos. Para isso, primeiramente foi desenvolvido um MPA livre de qualquer parte metálica. Visando sua aplicação, as características do músculo como: gama de esforços, tempo de resposta e histerese foram avaliadas através de testes. Algumas estratégias de controle do atuador foram testadas e comparadas, e com o atuador desenvolvido foi construído um manipulador inerte a campos magnéticos e elétricos. O manipulador construído tem como objetivo exercer movimentos distintos sobre a mão de um paciente, o mesmo deve acompanhar o paciente durante um exame de ressonância magnética. O atuador apresentou uma gama de esforços dentro do previsto, um tempo de resposta característico de atuadores pneumáticos e ao contrário do esperado, uma baixa histerese. Através de elementos mecânicos e com o uso de dois MPA, o manipulador foi capaz de exercer um trabalho sobre a mão de um voluntario fora do campo da RM, mostrando a viabilidade da aplicação. / When activities executed by a mechatronic system are performed in environments with strong magnetic and or electric field, the devices that will perform the tasks should be carefully designed so that the presence of metal parts does not become a risk. The electric field can generate electrical currents and the magnetic field may exert unexpected force in a metal part. Thus the use of some elements, such as electric motors, metallic parts or electronic sensors becomes unviable. The initial motivation for this work was to find an actuator that could be built without metallic elements and, using such actuator, build a manipulator inert to magnetic and electric fields. In this context, the use of hydraulic or pneumatic actuators becomes the most indicated option. Frequently, pneumatic and hydraulic systems have actuators with metal parts so as resist mechanical loads. In situations where the actuator is loaded by small loads, metal parts may be replaced by polymeric materials commonly used in Engineering. Among hydraulic and pneumatic actuators, one that already presents a few metal parts is the pneumatic artificial muscle (PAM). PAM has characteristics such as: low weight to effort ratio, simple construction as well as range of generated force and dimensions similar to a pneumatic cylinder. Thus, the PAM is chosen as the actuator for the non-conductive manipulator developed in this work. Adopting the PAM as a central element, this work aims identifying directives on using the PAM in the construction of a manipulator inert to electric and magnetic fields. For this, firstly it is developed a PAM free from any metal part. Next, the characteristics of the PAM such as range of efforts, response time and hysteresis curve are assessed through tests. Some strategies for the actuator control are tested and compared. Finally, using the developed actuator, a manipulator inert to magnetic and electric fields are constructed. The purpose of this manipulator is to induce motions to the fingers of a patient hand while the patient is examined in a MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) equipment. The actuator presented a range of efforts according to expectations, a response time compatible with pneumatic actuators and, contrary to expectations, low hysteresis.

Quando as atividades de um sistema mecatrônico são realizadas em ambientes com intenso campo elétrico e ou magnético, os dispositivos que irão executar as tarefas devem ser cuidadosamente projetados para que a presença de peças metálicas não se torne um risco. O campo elétrico pode gerar descargas elétricas e o campo magnético, exercer forças não previstas sobre peças metálicas. Assim o uso de alguns elementos, como motores elétricos, peças metálicas ou sensores eletrônicos se torna inviável. A motivação inicial para esse trabalho foi encontrar um atuador que possa ser construído sem o uso de elementos metálicos e com ele, construir um manipulador inerte a campos magnéticos e elétricos. Neste contexto, a transmissão de energia para os atuadores por meios hidráulicos ou pneumáticos se torna a opção mais indicada. Frequentemente, sistemas pneumáticos e hidráulicos apresentam atuadores com componentes metálicos, devido a resistência mecânica destes componentes. Em situações na qual os requisitos quanto a esforços são menores, elementos metálicos podem ser substituídos por materiais poliméricos de uso comum na Engenharia. Entre os atuadores hidráulicos e pneumáticos, um que já apresenta poucas partes metálicas é o músculo pneumático artificial (MPA). O MPA possui características tais como: baixo peso relacionado ao esforço gerado, escala de esforços similar a um cilindro pneumático de mesmo tamanho e construção simples. Assim, o MPA foi escolhido como atuador para o manipulador não-condutor desenvolvido neste trabalho. Adotando o MPA como elemento central, este trabalho tem por objetivo identificar as diretrizes para a aplicação do MPA na construção de um manipulador inerte a campos elétricos e magnéticos. Para isso, primeiramente foi desenvolvido um MPA livre de qualquer parte metálica. Visando sua aplicação, as características do músculo como: gama de esforços, tempo de resposta e histerese foram avaliadas através de testes. Algumas estratégias de controle do atuador foram testadas e comparadas, e com o atuador desenvolvido foi construído um manipulador inerte a campos magnéticos e elétricos. O manipulador construído tem como objetivo exercer movimentos distintos sobre a mão de um paciente, o mesmo deve acompanhar o paciente durante um exame de ressonância magnética. O atuador apresentou uma gama de esforços dentro do previsto, um tempo de resposta característico de atuadores pneumáticos e ao contrário do esperado, uma baixa histerese. Através de elementos mecânicos e com o uso de dois MPA, o manipulador foi capaz de exercer um trabalho sobre a mão de um voluntario fora do campo da RM, mostrando a viabilidade da aplicação. / When activities executed by a mechatronic system are performed in environments with strong magnetic and or electric field, the devices that will perform the tasks should be carefully designed so that the presence of metal parts does not become a risk. The electric field can generate electrical currents and the magnetic field may exert unexpected force in a metal part. Thus the use of some elements, such as electric motors, metallic parts or electronic sensors becomes unviable. The initial motivation for this work was to find an actuator that could be built without metallic elements and, using such actuator, build a manipulator inert to magnetic and electric fields. In this context, the use of hydraulic or pneumatic actuators becomes the most indicated option. Frequently, pneumatic and hydraulic systems have actuators with metal parts so as resist mechanical loads. In situations where the actuator is loaded by small loads, metal parts may be replaced by polymeric materials commonly used in Engineering. Among hydraulic and pneumatic actuators, one that already presents a few metal parts is the pneumatic artificial muscle (PAM). PAM has characteristics such as: low weight to effort ratio, simple construction as well as range of generated force and dimensions similar to a pneumatic cylinder. Thus, the PAM is chosen as the actuator for the non-conductive manipulator developed in this work. Adopting the PAM as a central element, this work aims identifying directives on using the PAM in the construction of a manipulator inert to electric and magnetic fields. For this, firstly it is developed a PAM free from any metal part. Next, the characteristics of the PAM such as range of efforts, response time and hysteresis curve are assessed through tests. Some strategies for the actuator control are tested and compared. Finally, using the developed actuator, a manipulator inert to magnetic and electric fields are constructed. The purpose of this manipulator is to induce motions to the fingers of a patient hand while the patient is examined in a MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) equipment. The actuator presented a range of efforts according to expectations, a response time compatible with pneumatic actuators and, contrary to expectations, low hysteresis.

Animals exploit soft structures to move smoothly and effectively in complex natural environments. These capabilities have inspired robotic engineers to incorporate soft actuating technologies into their designs. Developing soft muscle-like actuation technology is one of the grand challenges in the creation of soft-body robots that can move, deform their body, and modulate body stiffness. This paper presents the development of smart pneumatic McKibben muscles woven and reinforced by using conductive insulated wires to equip the muscles with an inherent sensing capability, in which the deformation of the muscles can be effectively measured by calculating the change of wire inductance. Sensing performance of a variety of weaving angles is investigated. The ideal McKibben muscle models are used for analysing muscle performance and sensing accuracy. The experimental results show that the contraction of the muscles is proportional to the measured change of inductance. This relationship is applied to a PID control system to control the contraction of smart muscles in simulation, and good control performance is achieved. The creation of smart muscles with an inherent sensing capability and a good controllability is promising for operation of future soft robots.

Ideal prostheses are defined as artificial limbs that would permit physically impaired individuals freedom of movement and independence rather than a life of disability and dependence. Current lower limb prostheses range from a single mechanical revolute joint to advanced microprocessor controlled mechanisms. Despite the advancement in technology and medicine, current lower limb prostheses are still lacking an actuation element, which prohibits patients from regaining their original mobility and improving their quality of life. This thesis aims to design and test a Pneumatic Artificial Muscle that would actuate lower limb prostheses. This would offer patients the ability to ascend and descend stairs as well as standing up from a sitting position. A comprehensive study of knee biomechanics is first accomplished to characterize the actuation requirement, and subsequently a Pneumatic Artificial Muscle design is proposed. A novel design of muscle end fixtures is presented which would allow the muscle to operate at a gage pressure surpassing 2.76 MPa (i.e. 400 psi) and yield a muscle force that is at least 3 times greater than that produced by any existing equivalent Pneumatic Artificial Muscle. Finally, the proposed Pneumatic Artificial Muscle is tested and validated to verify that it meets the size, weight, kinetic and kinematic requirements of human knee articulation.

Ideal prostheses are defined as artificial limbs that would permit physically impaired individuals freedom of movement and independence rather than a life of disability and dependence. Current lower limb prostheses range from a single mechanical revolute joint to advanced microprocessor controlled mechanisms. Despite the advancement in technology and medicine, current lower limb prostheses are still lacking an actuation element, which prohibits patients from regaining their original mobility and improving their quality of life. This thesis aims to design and test a Pneumatic Artificial Muscle that would actuate lower limb prostheses. This would offer patients the ability to ascend and descend stairs as well as standing up from a sitting position. A comprehensive study of knee biomechanics is first accomplished to characterize the actuation requirement, and subsequently a Pneumatic Artificial Muscle design is proposed. A novel design of muscle end fixtures is presented which would allow the muscle to operate at a gage pressure surpassing 2.76 MPa (i.e. 400 psi) and yield a muscle force that is at least 3 times greater than that produced by any existing equivalent Pneumatic Artificial Muscle. Finally, the proposed Pneumatic Artificial Muscle is tested and validated to verify that it meets the size, weight, kinetic and kinematic requirements of human knee articulation.