Previously, only devices for testing single segments of the human body or their implants were known, often with limited capacity for simulating movement. The fact that this device uses the so-called Stewart platform (see text below) with six degrees of freedom for movement control provides practically unlimited options for testing movement in vitro.

The device can be reproduced in a kit form which stimulates movement and tests the wear and tear of several connected moving parts of the human body, e.g. several vertebrae of the spine.

The main advantage of the device is its design, which enables the device to target its effects on each part of even a multi-part tested functional segment of the human body, by using the optimum number of fixation plates in relation to the number of parts of the tested human body segment.

The invention is especially suitable for application in healthcare, especially in clinical centres and in companies engaged in medical technology. A functioning specimen was exhibited at Galerie Vaňkova during the exposition Century of Robots 2011 in the BUT section.

The Stewart platform is a construction-adapted parallel mechanism with six degrees of freedom, enabling the realization of three-dimensional movement. It should be used for the needs of experimental biomechanics, in particular in the field of spine biomechanics, but thanks to its universal character it can also be used in other fields, such as the biomechanics of joints

Let’s introduce both inventors:

Doc. TOMÁŠ BŘEZINA, CSc. is a renowned expert in the field of mechatronics. Since 1978, he has been working in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Brno University of Technology, currently as Vice-Dean for External Affairs and Cooperation with Industry; he is also the Head of Mechatronics at the Division of Mechatronics in the NETME Centre and also works as a Deputy Director of the Institute of Informatics and Automation.

Ing. ZDENĚK FLORIAN, CSc is a recognized expert in biomechanics. Since 1984, he has been working in the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering at Brno University of Technology as a lecturer in the Department of Applied Mechanics and Biomechanics at the Institute Solid Mechanics, Mechatronics and Biomechanics.

Both inventors are authors of many of scientific papers in Czech and international science journals. They take part in realizing a range of science-research projects, and are engaged in long-term cooperation with prominent partners in industry.