這款“智能內衣”能解決腰痛問題

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

蝙蝠俠式“智能”內褲或許可以結束數百萬人背疼的痛苦。

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

發明者已經研製出了一種內褲，該內褲運用了可以消除腰部疼痛的可穿戴技術。

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.

現在美國田納西州範德堡大學的一個工程師團隊有望通過將生物力學與先進的可穿戴技術結合起來，製造一件智能的，機械化的內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.

超過半數的成人（在60%至80%之間）一生中都會經歷腰痛，據估計，這種病痛每年會消耗數十億的醫療保健費用，還給生產力帶來損失。

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-澤裏克是機械工程學的一名助理教授，他因爲經常抱舉年幼的兒子而感到腰痛，這之後他就開始探索運用可穿戴技術解決這一問題。

'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.

澤裏克教授解釋道：“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於自己的超級服裝。”

'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.'

“區別在於我不是爲了打擊犯罪。我是爲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、聚酯等材料製成。

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

這兩部分由穿過後背中部的結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.

該團隊研發的應用可以控制這套裝備。用戶可以通過藍牙無線操作，輕觸手機就能使智能內衣上下接合。用戶還可通過輕觸胸部織物進行操控。

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

這樣的設計可以讓用戶根據自己的需求連接設備。

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.

當裝置啓動時，彈力帶就會收緊，因此當用戶完成任務的時候，比如舉起重物，腰部所受的力就會部分轉移到帶子上。

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.

當任務完成後，再輕拍兩下，帶子就會鬆開，這時用戶就可以坐下，智能內衣也就和一般的衣服沒什麼兩樣了。

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，結果顯示，在每一項任務中，智能內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測腰部的受力，如果受力過大，智能內衣能否自動啓動，”澤裏克教授說。

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，這項新技術的重點不在於治療那些已經有腰痛的病人，而是通過減少腰部肌肉的受力與疲勞來預防腰痛。

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：“我看到許多醫療從業者或其他行業的人需要長時間站立或彎腰工作。智能內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.

這項獲獎的設計在澳大利亞舉辦的美國生物力學協會年度會議上首次亮相。