A biomechanical model to test the effects of a passive exoskeleton on the shoulder complex

Abstract

In the last years, wearable passive exoskeletons grew in popularity. Modern devices rely on lightweight springs and cantilevers to exert torques reducing the load on human joints. Typical applications are in rehabilitation or in industry to assist workers during heavy tasks, e.g. overhead tasks. Several possible designs were proposed. Devices meant to be used in working environment need to be lightweight, minimally invasive, easy to use and not to causing discomfort to the user. The aim of this work was to introduce a new detailed model of the shoulder complex and to study the effects on shoulder kinematics of a modern exoskeleton i.e. the “Paexo”,by Ottobock (ottobockexoskeletons.com).