神奇了!這款“智能內(nèi)衣”能解決腰痛問題

為了解決困擾著多數(shù)人的腰痛背痛問題，來自美國的工程師團(tuán)隊研發(fā)了一款智能內(nèi)衣。它由穿戴在胸部和腿部的兩部分織物組成，由穿過后背中部的結(jié)實帶子和腰部的天然橡膠片連接。用戶可以通過藍(lán)牙無線操作，輕觸手機(jī)就能使智能內(nèi)衣上下接合。當(dāng)裝置啟動時，橡皮帶就會收緊。當(dāng)用戶工作時，比如舉起重物，腰部所受的力就會有一部分轉(zhuǎn)移到帶子上。

Batman-style 'smart' underpants could end the misery of back pain for millions of people.

蝙蝠俠式“智能”內(nèi)褲或許可以結(jié)束數(shù)百萬人背疼的痛苦。

Inventors have developed briefs that contain wearable technology designed to get rid of pain in the lower back.

發(fā)明者已經(jīng)研制出了一種內(nèi)褲，該內(nèi)褲運用了可以消除腰部疼痛的可穿戴技術(shù)。

Experts said many potential solutions for back pain are unproven, unworkable or just plain unattractive.

專家稱，很多可能消除背痛的辦法都是未經(jīng)檢驗、不可行或者不美觀的。

Now a team of engineers from Vanderbilt University in Tennessee hope to change that with a design that combines the science of biomechanics and advances in wearable technology to create a smart, mechanized undergarment.

現(xiàn)在美國田納西州范德堡大學(xué)的一個工程師團(tuán)隊有望通過將生物力學(xué)與先進(jìn)的可穿戴技術(shù)結(jié)合起來，制造一件智能的，機(jī)械化的內(nèi)衣來解決腰痛的問題。

More than one in two adults (between 60 and 80 percent) suffer low back pain in their lifetimes and the condition is estimated to cost billions in healthcare and lost productivity every year.

超過半數(shù)的成人(在60%至80%之間)一生中都會經(jīng)歷腰痛，據(jù)估計，這種病痛每年會消耗數(shù)十億的醫(yī)療保健費用，還給生產(chǎn)力帶來損失。

Lead researcher Karl Zelik, an assistant professor of mechanical engineering, started exploring wearable technology solutions after suffering back pain himself from repeatedly lifting his young son.

首席研究員卡爾-澤里克是機(jī)械工程學(xué)的一名助理教授，他因為經(jīng)常抱舉年幼的兒子而感到腰痛，這之后他就開始探索運用可穿戴技術(shù)解決這一問題。

'I'm sick of comic book characters like Tony Stark and Bruce Wayne being the only ones with performance-boosting supersuits. We, the masses, want our own,' Professor Zelik explained.

澤里克教授解釋道：“只有鋼鐵俠、蝙蝠俠等漫畫人物才能穿戴提升性能的超級服裝，這讓我受夠了。我們這些普通人也想擁有屬于自己的超級服裝。”

'The difference is that I'm not fighting crime. I'm fighting the odds that I'll strain my back this week trying to lift my two-year-old.'

“區(qū)別在于我不是為了打擊犯罪。我是為了這周舉起我兩歲的兒子時不扭傷腰。”

Tests so far show that the smart clothing relieves stress on the lower back.

目前的測試表明該智能內(nèi)衣減輕了腰部所受壓力。

The device consists of two fabric sections, made of nylon canvas, Lycra, polyester and other materials, for the chest and legs.

該裝置由分別穿戴在胸部和腿部的兩部分織物組成，每一部分由尼龍帆布、萊卡、聚酯等材料制成。

The sections are connected by sturdy straps across the middle back, with natural rubber pieces at the lower back.

這兩部分由穿過后背中部的結(jié)實帶子和腰部的天然橡膠片連接。

The device can be controlled by an app the team created - users tap their phones to engage the smart clothing wirelessly via Bluetooth. It can also be controlled by a light tap to the chest.

該團(tuán)隊研發(fā)的應(yīng)用可以控制這套裝備。用戶可以通過藍(lán)牙無線操作，輕觸手機(jī)就能使智能內(nèi)衣上下接合。用戶還可通過輕觸胸部織物進(jìn)行操控。

It is designed so that users engage it only when they need it.

這樣的設(shè)計可以讓用戶根據(jù)自己的需求連接設(shè)備。

The user just double taps their shirt, or their smart phone, to engage the straps.

用戶只要輕觸兩下上衣或智能手機(jī)就能將帶子連在一起。

When it is turned on, the elastic straps tighten so when the user completes a task, like lifting a heavy object, some of the pressure is diverted from the lower back to the straps.

當(dāng)裝置啟動時，彈力帶就會收緊，因此當(dāng)用戶完成任務(wù)的時候，比如舉起重物，腰部所受的力就會部分轉(zhuǎn)移到帶子上。

And when the task is done, another double tap releases the straps so the user can sit down, and the device feels and behaves like normal clothes.

當(dāng)任務(wù)完成后，再輕拍兩下，帶子就會松開，這時用戶就可以坐下，智能內(nèi)衣也就和一般的衣服沒什么兩樣了。

Eight subjects tested the device leaning forward and lifting 25lb and 55lb weights while holding their position at 30, 60 and 90 degrees.

八位試驗者保持在彎腰30度、60度和90度時舉起25磅(約合11.3公斤)和55磅的重物，來測試該裝置。

Using motion capture, force plates and electromyography, which records the electric activity of muscle tissue, the team showed the device reduced activity in the lower back muscles by an average of 15 to 45 percent for each task.

研究團(tuán)隊用運動捕捉、測力板和肌電圖來記錄肌肉組織的電活動，結(jié)果顯示，在每一項任務(wù)中，智能內(nèi)衣把腰部肌肉活動平均減少了15%至45%。

'The next idea is to find out if we can use sensors embedded in the clothing to monitor stress on the low back, and if it gets too high, can we automatically engage this smart clothing,' Professor Zelik said.

“下一步我們想看看能否在衣服中嵌入傳感器以監(jiān)測腰部的受力，如果受力過大，智能內(nèi)衣能否自動啟動，”澤里克教授說。

The study's co-author Dr Aaron Yang said the focus of the new technology is not on treating those with existing back pain but on prevention by reducing stress and fatigue on the low back muscles.

研究報告的合著者亞倫-楊博士說，這項新技術(shù)的重點不在于治療那些已經(jīng)有腰痛的病人，而是通過減少腰部肌肉的受力與疲勞來預(yù)防腰痛。

He said: 'I see a lot of healthcare workers or other professionals with jobs that require standing or leaning for long periods. Smart clothing may help offload some of those forces and reduce muscle fatigue.'

他說：“我看到許多醫(yī)療從業(yè)者或其他行業(yè)的人需要長時間站立或彎腰工作。智能內(nèi)衣可以減輕一些受力和肌肉疲勞。”

The award-winning design was unveiled at the annual meeting of the American Society of Biomechanics in Australia.

這項獲獎的設(shè)計在澳大利亞舉辦的美國生物力學(xué)協(xié)會年度會議上首次亮相。