HyeJu Yoo

　

Seoul National University

HyeJu Yoo is a Ph.D. candidate in Mechanical Engineering, currently researching wearable robots and soft robots in the BioRobotics Laboratory, Seoul National University, Republic of Korea. She received the Bachelor of Science degree (Mechatronics Engineering) from the University of Melbourne, Australia, in 2016, and the Master of Engineering (Mechanical Engineering) from the Seoul National University, Republic of Korea, in 2020. Her research interests include the design, manufacture, integration, and validation of wearable robots for biomedical, rehabilitation, assistive, and sports field of study. She was listed in the Dean’s Honours list during her undergraduate coursework and was awarded the Outstanding Master’s Thesis Presentation Award in the Dynamics and Control Group of the Department of Mechanical Engineering for the Master of Engineering thesis presentation. She is highly passionate about research and eager to network with all her colleagues in the science and engineering disciplines.

Design of Soft Wearable Massaging Device for Lymphedema (WMD-L): A Step towards the Development of a Remote Diagnosis and Treatment Robotic Tool for Therapists and Patients

Breast cancer removal surgery (mastectomy) survivors often suffer from a chronic condition known as lymphedema, characterized by swelling of the body. Being a chronic condition, there is no full cure, which is why swelling management is very important. Swelling is managed by draining the lymph with a specialized “massage” technique which consists of a gentle skin stretch to stimulate the superficial lymphatic system. This lymphedema management is the most effective when performed the moment the symptoms arise anytime and anywhere. Therefore, a low-profile and comfortable device that can be worn for an extended duration during daily life is necessary. Soft wearable robotics technology is employed in this research to develop a soft wearable massaging device that can be worn under regular clothing. Origami-based folding technique is directly implemented on a balloon-like 1D inflation of a fabric pouch to develop the Origami-Z-folded Soft Shear Actuator (Z-Ori), which creates a combination of shear and normal forces along a stroking displacement under a compression constrained environment. A parameterization study is conducted, and three main actuator parameters are selected to control two actuator outputs, shear force and stroking displacement. Results are discussed, and future research direction is provided that is required to realize the ultimate research goal of remote diagnosis and management of lymphedema.