Assignment 2: Design Summary & Analysis

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From the article, “Where’s My Supersuit '', Zelik (2019), it is stated that human exoskeletons are under development for injury prevention, public use, and numerous other application suggestions. These human exoskeletons are known to be expensive, bulky, and uncomfortable, but despite this, most people actually reap benefits from this creation. Initially developed to reduce job burnout 5 years ago, these motorised exo-suits were further developed to provide targeted assistance to the legs, arms and hands as a guide to proper lifting techniques and resistance training. On top of the basic functions of the exoskeleton, the creation is accompanied by the development of a spring-powered exo-suit that aids in the walking and running of ankle muscles. The human exoskeleton is also a useful product when it comes to preventing injuries as well as to provide support and enhancement to patients with spinal cord injuries.
One useful function of the exoskeleton is to help workers prevent injuries. According to Zelik (2019), “nurses and medical professionals often perform strenuous lifting, leaning and carrying tasks to care for patients.”  Such a development includes a neck-support for surgeons and nurses for surgical procedures.  Due to constant forces acting on their back during the course of their work, this tends to strain their lower backs. Coupled with fatigue, they may have a higher chance of injuring themselves. Thus, if medical staff are equipped with a super-suit, the chances of suffering from backache issues will decrease. In addition, a clothing-like exoskeleton is also made specially for patients with lower back pain. This mechanized clothing will help in pain prevention, with the elastic bands supporting the backload. Users will be able to move freely once the suit is being switched off. The exoskeleton is a muscular-skeletal system used to protect the human upper body such as the shoulders, neck, and back. However, the exoskeleton’s main purpose is not to carry the whole-body weight but to reduce injury and fatigue. Research has proven that the use of exoskeleton has increased the time for someone without it to experience fatigue, hence, lowering the risk of sustaining injuries.
In the aspect of injury prevention, it indirectly helps by reducing the fatigue level from physically demanding jobs. According to Zelik (2019), employees in Toyota must put on exoskeletons as part of their personal protective equipment when working with overhead tasks to prevent injuries arising from fatigue and muscle stress. Based on a study by Marinov (2019), Toyota’s Woodstock Plant made 24 workers in the weld shop don exoskeletons as essential personal protective equipment in November. On the following Monday, Toyota’s Printon, Ind., plant also began implementing exoskeletons as part of a mandatory protective gear during the course of work. By March, approximately 200 out of 7369 employees are required to put on exoskeleton at work. Marc Duplessis, the Woodstock plant’s health and safety manager made a discovery that overhead tasks are one of the main contributors to injuries, leading to considerations of various ways to fix this problem. All in all, exoskeleton seemed to be a good fit for it.
Another useful function of an exoskeleton is to aid patients by supporting and enhancing their body parts. According to Khan et al (2019), wheelchairs-bound patients who had suffered complete or incomplete spinal cord injuries (SCI) were aided through the usage of exoskeleton known as ReWalk to guide movement for 12 weeks. 12 patients were matriculated to 10 training sessions, in which 1 of the patients who suffered incomplete SCI was able to walk without wearing the ReWalk after completing the course. The article also mentions that research results have shown that personnel with severe SCI will need to have approximately 45 sessions of training to regain walking capability.
In conclusion, an exoskeleton is a beneficial product to a consumer as it provides boundless assistance based on a person's needs.

References:
Zelik (2019, April 24) It’s 2019-Where’s My Supersuit. Retrieved January 31, 2020,  from https://theconversation.com/its-2019-wheres-my-supersuit-115679

Marinov (2019). Toytoya’s Woodstock Plant Makes the Levitate AIRFRAME Exoskeleton Mandatory Personal Protective Equipment. Retrieved February 2, 2020, from https://exoskeletonreport.com/2019/02/toyotas-woodstock-plant-makes-the-levitate-airframe-exoskeleton-mandatory-personal-protective-equipment/

Khan et al (2019, 21 November). Retraining walking over ground in a powered exoskeleton after spinal cord injury: a prospective cohort study to examine functional gains and neuroplasticity Retrieved  February 11, 2020, from  https://jneuroengrehab.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12984-019-0585-x

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