Stair climbing

About: Stair climbing is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 1610 publications have been published within this topic receiving 30504 citations.

Analysis of the Static Stability for an Electric Stair-Climbing Wheelchair

Abstract: In this paper, an electric stair-climbing wheelchair is presented. The proposed solution is based on a smart hybrid leg-wheel locomotion system. This idea has been developed through several wheelchair concepts presented in the first part of the paper, pointing out the main advantages and disadvantages for each solution. In the second part, an optimization procedure regarding the geometry of the latest wheelchair architecture is presented. The aim is to maximize the wheelchair performances in terms of safety and comfort for the user. In particular, the geometric parameters of the wheelchair structure have been analysed in order to assess which configuration guarantees an acceptable static stability of the wheelchair during stair climbing motion. Moreover, considering the goal of maximizing the comfort for the user, the oscillation introduced on the wheelchair seat by the locomotion system has been studied and solutions able to reduce them are proposed.

The effect of continuous positive airway pressure on stair-climbing performance in severe COPD patients.

Abstract: Stair climbing is associated with dynamic pulmonary hyperinflation and the development of severe dyspnea in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) This study aimed to assess whether (i) continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) applied during stair climbing prevents dynamic hyperinflation and thereby reduces exercise-induced dyspnea in oxygen-dependent COPD-patients, and (ii) the CPAP-device and oxygen tank can be carried in a hip belt In a randomised cross-over design, oxygen-dependent COPD patients performed two stair-climbing tests (44 steps): with supplemental oxygen only, then with the addition of CPAP (7 mbar) The oxygen tank and CPAP-device were carried in a hip belt during both trials Eighteen COPD patients were included in the study Although all patients could tolerate stair climbing with oxygen alone, 4 patients were unable to perform stair climbing while using CPAP Fourteen COPD patients (mean FEV1 36 ± 14% pred) completed the trial and were analyzed The mean flow rate of supplemental oxygen was 3 ± 2 l/min during stair climbing Lung hyperinflation, deoxygenation, hypoventilation, blood lactate production, dyspnea and the time needed to manage stair climbing were not improved by the application of CPAP (all p > 005) However, in comparison to climbing with oxygen alone, limb discomfort was reduced when oxygen was supplemented with CPAP (p = 0008) In conclusion, very severe COPD patients are able to carry supporting devices such as oxygen tanks or CPAP-devices in a hip belt during stair climbing However, the application of CPAP in addition to supplemental oxygen during stair climbing prevents neither exercise-induced dynamic hyperinflation, nor dyspnea

Differentiating Between Walking and Stair Climbing Using Raw Accelerometry Data.

Abstract: Wearable accelerometers provide an objective measure of human physical activity. They record high frequency unlabeled three-dimensional time series data. We extract meaningful features from the raw accelerometry data and based on them develop and evaluate a classification method for the detection of walking and its sub-classes, i.e. level walking, descending stairs and ascending stairs. Our methodology is tested on a sample of 32 middle-aged subjects for whom we extracted features based on the Fourier and wavelet transforms. We build subject-specific and group-level classification models utilizing a tree-based methodology. We evaluate the effects of sensor location and tuning parameters on the classification accuracy of the tree models. In the group-level classification setting, we propose a robust feature inter-subject normalization and evaluate its performance compared to unnormalized data. The overall classification accuracy for the three activities at the subject-specific level was on average 87.6%, with the ankle-worn accelerometers showing the best performance with an average accuracy 90.5%. At the group-level, the average overall classification accuracy for the three activities using the normalized features was 80.2% compared to 72.3% for the unnormalized features. In summary, a framework is provided for better use and feature extraction from raw accelerometry data to differentiate among different walking modalities as well as considerations for study design.

Intelligent stair climbing carrier vehicle

Abstract: The utility model discloses an intelligent stair climbing carrier vehicle. The intelligent stair climbing carrier vehicle comprises four wheels and a cargo compartment installed on the wheels through a suspension. Each wheel comprises an axle connected to the suspension through a bearing and at least four supporting legs installed on the axle, wherein the supporting legs are evenly and circumferentially arranged with the axle as the center. Each supporting leg comprises an electric air cylinder and a ball-shaped trundle fixedly arranged at the tail end of the electric air cylinder. Adjusting buttons used for controlling extending and retracting of the electric air cylinders are arranged on the side wall of the cargo compartment, and the suspension is provided with a driving device used for driving the axles. The intelligent stair climbing carrier vehicle can convey heavy objects to the upstairs through steps when an elevator is powered off, time and labor are saved, safety is high, and the intelligent stair climbing carrier vehicle can move on the flat ground.