Design of the second spine: A secondary pathway to transfer loads from the shoulders to the pelvis

Joon Hyuk Park, Paul Stegall, Damiano Zanotto, Vineet Vashista, Xin Jin, Sunil K. Agrawal

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

6 Scopus citations

Abstract

The Second Spine is a vest intended to prevent musculoskeletal injuries caused by heavy backpack loads, while also maintaining the range of motion of the wearer. The vest is formed by multiple segments between the shoulder and a pelvic belt. In normal "off" configuration, the segments are disconnected from each other and the vest is flexible providing full range of motion to the upper body. With the pull of a string in the "on" configuration, the vest becomes semi-rigid creating a secondary pathway to transfer loads between the shoulder and a pelvic belt. The device was evaluated by a subject who walked on a treadmill while carrying a backpack load of 25% of his body weight (BW). Experiment results showed that the semi-rigid vest reduces the force exerted on the shoulders and induces a more erect posture. Muscle activations in the lower limbs indicate that loads were successfully transferred from the shoulders to the waist while bypassing the vertebral column. These results show that the device can be used to mitigate potential risks of musculoskeletal injuries caused from backpack loads.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publication37th Mechanisms and Robotics Conference
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
EventASME 2013 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, IDETC/CIE 2013 - Portland, OR, United States
Duration: 4 Aug 20137 Aug 2013

Publication series

NameProceedings of the ASME Design Engineering Technical Conference
Volume6 B

Conference

ConferenceASME 2013 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences and Computers and Information in Engineering Conference, IDETC/CIE 2013
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityPortland, OR
Period4/08/137/08/13

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