Two mechatronics prototypes, useful for robotic neurotreatments and new clinical trainings, are h... more Two mechatronics prototypes, useful for robotic neurotreatments and new clinical trainings, are here presented. P.I.G.R.O. (pneumatic interactive gait rehabilitation orthosis) is an active exoskeletonwith an electropneumatic control. It imposesmovements on lower limbs in order to produce in the patient’s brain proper motor cortex activation. Bra.Di.P.O. (brain discovery pneumatic orthosis) is anMR-compatible device, designed to improve fMRI (functionalmagnetic resonance imaging) analysis.The twodevices are presented together because both are involved in the study of new robotic treatments of patients affected by ictus or brain stroke or in some motor learning experimental investigations carried out on healthy subjects.
ABSTRACT This article describes the development of an innovative method for raising the surface o... more ABSTRACT This article describes the development of an innovative method for raising the surface of high-quality fabrics. The method consists of replacing the natural teasels, currently used, with experimental metal teeth, which do not damage the fabric and reproduce the same effect as natural cards. Literature on the subject contains several examples of artificial metal teeth, which have the advantage of a longer life than the natural ones, however, some can mark the fabric along the warp, if not properly sized. The study in question was based on both experiment and theory, by simulating a flexural load on the barb wire and evaluating its rigidity. Excellent results have been obtained from various tests, and have led to the construction of a new industrial fabric-raising machine.
In recent years, the use of pneumatics in innovative actuation systems has led to the development... more In recent years, the use of pneumatics in innovative actuation systems has led to the development, testing and first applications of nonconventional actuators such as pneumatic muscles. Like human muscles, pneumatic muscles can exert only traction forces, and offer a good power-to-weight ratio. The paper will present an investigation of new pneumatic muscles with a fabric structure. Lightweight, robust and
Two mechatronics prototypes, useful for robotic neurotreatments and new clinical trainings, are h... more Two mechatronics prototypes, useful for robotic neurotreatments and new clinical trainings, are here presented. P.I.G.R.O. (pneumatic interactive gait rehabilitation orthosis) is an active exoskeleton with an electropneumatic control. It imposes movements on lower limbs in order to produce in the patient's brain proper motor cortex activation. Bra.Di.P.O. (brain discovery pneumatic orthosis) is an MR-compatible device, designed to improve fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) analysis. The two devices are presented together because both are involved in the study of new robotic treatments of patients affected by ictus or brain stroke or in some motor learning experimental investigations carried out on healthy subjects.
Properties such as intrinsic security, low switching power, and the possibility of fabricating in... more Properties such as intrinsic security, low switching power, and the possibility of fabricating interfaces such as optopneumatic interfaces without electrical parts have greatly increased interest in fluidic elements. In fluidic elements, an optical signal is converted to a pressure signal that, when appropriately amplified, commands power stages suitable for environments having the risk of explosion or electromagnetic interference. The operation and use of bistables based on the wall effect has been known among digital elements for some time, but this component has mainly been studied and applied in turbulent systems. We focus on the study and realization of a fluidic bistable amplifier operating in the laminar range and therefore switchable by extremely low control power.
A new kind of control device is here presented. It is realized through no-one electrical componen... more A new kind of control device is here presented. It is realized through no-one electrical components so that it can be also used in environments where there is a danger of explosion, fire or electromagnetic interference. Its principal way of working is based on the photothermic effect, in which the energy of an optical source (infrared source in this case) is converted into heat energy through an absorbent body. So it is possible to increase the temperature of the air close to the absorbent body and to obtain a pneumatic signal that can be used as a control signal in a high-gain laminar fluidic amplifier.
We developed an opto-pneumatic system composed by an opto-pneumatic detector and five fluidic ele... more We developed an opto-pneumatic system composed by an opto-pneumatic detector and five fluidic elements sequentially connected. The system is driven by an optical signal, carried to the opto-pneumatic detector through a polymer optical fiber. The conversion from optical to pressure control signal is performed in a particular chamber caved out in one of the control ducts of the first fluidic amplifier of the chain. The conversion is made by a black-body, that transforms optical energy into heat and thus into a pressure variation, yielding a 0,6Pa pressure signal. Such a signal is then amplified and digitalized, in order to drive a commercially available pneumatic valve.
Two mechatronics prototypes, useful for robotic neurotreatments and new clinical trainings, are h... more Two mechatronics prototypes, useful for robotic neurotreatments and new clinical trainings, are here presented. P.I.G.R.O. (pneumatic interactive gait rehabilitation orthosis) is an active exoskeleton with an electropneumatic control. It imposes movements on lower limbs in order to produce in the patient’s brain proper motor cortex activation. Bra.Di.P.O. (brain discovery pneumatic orthosis) is an MR-compatible device, designed to improve fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) analysis. The two devices are presented together because both are involved in the study of new robotic treatments of patients affected by ictus or brain stroke or in some motor learning experimental investigations carried out on healthy subjects.
Two mechatronics prototypes, useful for robotic neurotreatments and new clinical trainings, are h... more Two mechatronics prototypes, useful for robotic neurotreatments and new clinical trainings, are here presented. P.I.G.R.O. (pneumatic interactive gait rehabilitation orthosis) is an active exoskeletonwith an electropneumatic control. It imposesmovements on lower limbs in order to produce in the patient’s brain proper motor cortex activation. Bra.Di.P.O. (brain discovery pneumatic orthosis) is anMR-compatible device, designed to improve fMRI (functionalmagnetic resonance imaging) analysis.The twodevices are presented together because both are involved in the study of new robotic treatments of patients affected by ictus or brain stroke or in some motor learning experimental investigations carried out on healthy subjects.
ABSTRACT This article describes the development of an innovative method for raising the surface o... more ABSTRACT This article describes the development of an innovative method for raising the surface of high-quality fabrics. The method consists of replacing the natural teasels, currently used, with experimental metal teeth, which do not damage the fabric and reproduce the same effect as natural cards. Literature on the subject contains several examples of artificial metal teeth, which have the advantage of a longer life than the natural ones, however, some can mark the fabric along the warp, if not properly sized. The study in question was based on both experiment and theory, by simulating a flexural load on the barb wire and evaluating its rigidity. Excellent results have been obtained from various tests, and have led to the construction of a new industrial fabric-raising machine.
In recent years, the use of pneumatics in innovative actuation systems has led to the development... more In recent years, the use of pneumatics in innovative actuation systems has led to the development, testing and first applications of nonconventional actuators such as pneumatic muscles. Like human muscles, pneumatic muscles can exert only traction forces, and offer a good power-to-weight ratio. The paper will present an investigation of new pneumatic muscles with a fabric structure. Lightweight, robust and
Two mechatronics prototypes, useful for robotic neurotreatments and new clinical trainings, are h... more Two mechatronics prototypes, useful for robotic neurotreatments and new clinical trainings, are here presented. P.I.G.R.O. (pneumatic interactive gait rehabilitation orthosis) is an active exoskeleton with an electropneumatic control. It imposes movements on lower limbs in order to produce in the patient's brain proper motor cortex activation. Bra.Di.P.O. (brain discovery pneumatic orthosis) is an MR-compatible device, designed to improve fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) analysis. The two devices are presented together because both are involved in the study of new robotic treatments of patients affected by ictus or brain stroke or in some motor learning experimental investigations carried out on healthy subjects.
Properties such as intrinsic security, low switching power, and the possibility of fabricating in... more Properties such as intrinsic security, low switching power, and the possibility of fabricating interfaces such as optopneumatic interfaces without electrical parts have greatly increased interest in fluidic elements. In fluidic elements, an optical signal is converted to a pressure signal that, when appropriately amplified, commands power stages suitable for environments having the risk of explosion or electromagnetic interference. The operation and use of bistables based on the wall effect has been known among digital elements for some time, but this component has mainly been studied and applied in turbulent systems. We focus on the study and realization of a fluidic bistable amplifier operating in the laminar range and therefore switchable by extremely low control power.
A new kind of control device is here presented. It is realized through no-one electrical componen... more A new kind of control device is here presented. It is realized through no-one electrical components so that it can be also used in environments where there is a danger of explosion, fire or electromagnetic interference. Its principal way of working is based on the photothermic effect, in which the energy of an optical source (infrared source in this case) is converted into heat energy through an absorbent body. So it is possible to increase the temperature of the air close to the absorbent body and to obtain a pneumatic signal that can be used as a control signal in a high-gain laminar fluidic amplifier.
We developed an opto-pneumatic system composed by an opto-pneumatic detector and five fluidic ele... more We developed an opto-pneumatic system composed by an opto-pneumatic detector and five fluidic elements sequentially connected. The system is driven by an optical signal, carried to the opto-pneumatic detector through a polymer optical fiber. The conversion from optical to pressure control signal is performed in a particular chamber caved out in one of the control ducts of the first fluidic amplifier of the chain. The conversion is made by a black-body, that transforms optical energy into heat and thus into a pressure variation, yielding a 0,6Pa pressure signal. Such a signal is then amplified and digitalized, in order to drive a commercially available pneumatic valve.
Two mechatronics prototypes, useful for robotic neurotreatments and new clinical trainings, are h... more Two mechatronics prototypes, useful for robotic neurotreatments and new clinical trainings, are here presented. P.I.G.R.O. (pneumatic interactive gait rehabilitation orthosis) is an active exoskeleton with an electropneumatic control. It imposes movements on lower limbs in order to produce in the patient’s brain proper motor cortex activation. Bra.Di.P.O. (brain discovery pneumatic orthosis) is an MR-compatible device, designed to improve fMRI (functional magnetic resonance imaging) analysis. The two devices are presented together because both are involved in the study of new robotic treatments of patients affected by ictus or brain stroke or in some motor learning experimental investigations carried out on healthy subjects.
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Papers by G. Eula