Measurement of the Steering Torque in Cervical Cord Injured Persons Using BTE Work Simulator. |
Shin, Oh Soo , Lee, Bum Suk , Kim, Kee Kyung , Na, In Soo , Kim, Byung Sik , Ahn, Sang Ho , Yum, Young Il |
1Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, National Rehabilitation Hospital. 2Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Young Nam University Hospital. 3Department of Mechanical Engineering, Pohang Engineering University. |
BTE Work Simulator를 이용한 경수손상 환자의 핸들 회전능력 측정 |
신오수, 이범석, 김기경, 나인수, 김병식, 안상호1, 염영일2 |
국립재활병원 재활의학과, 1영남대학교 의과대학 재활의학과, 2포항공과대학교 기계공학과 |
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Abstract |
Objective To evaluate the standards of handicapped driver's ability test in Korea and available driving aids in cervical cord injured persons. Method Forty-two cervical cord injured persons (C5∼C8) were evaluated with BTE (Baltimore Therapeutic Equipment) work simulator. The isotonic turning torque was measured during clockwise and counter-clockwise turning. And isometric turning torque was measured at 12 directions. Results By the isotonic measurement, the turning torque increased in the lower level of injury. In the C6 tetraplegics, the counter-clockwise turning torque was significantly higher than clockwise. Among 25 persons with C5 or C6 tetraplegia, only 2 with C6 tetraplegia could operate the power steering with the lowest wheel turning torque (3.0 Nm). Only three persons (1 person with C7 tetraplegia, 2 persons with C8 tetraplegia) could pass the handicapped driver's ability test of Korea (9.4 Nm). By the isometric measurement, turning torque was lowest at left upper quadrant (10 to 12 o'clock direction) in clockwise rotation. Conclusion Among the 42 cervical cord injured persons, only 3 persons with C7 and C8 tetraplegia could pass the handicapped driver's ability test of Korea. And among 25 C5 and C6 tetraplegia, only 2 persons with C6 tetraplegia could operate the power steering. It seems to be essential to modify the standards of handicapped drivers ability test and to evolve the driving aids for the C5 and C6 tetraplegics in Korea. |
Key Words:
BTE work simulator, BTE work simulator, Steering torque, Handicapped driver's ability test |
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