scholarly journals The reversible adjustable coupling: A lightweight and low-cost alignment component for the lower limb prosthesis

2017 ◽  
Vol 4 ◽  
pp. 205566831770642
Author(s):  
Kazuhiko Sasaki ◽  
Jutamat Pinitlertsakun ◽  
Pakwan Nualnim ◽  
Gary Guerra ◽  
Yuttapichai Sansook ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Low Income ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
External Rotation ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Strength Tests ◽  
Lower Limb Prosthesis ◽  
Repetitive Loading ◽  
Limb Prosthesis ◽  
Anterior Posterior

Background The alignment of the lower limb prosthesis is an integral part of the prosthetic fitting. A properly aligned prosthesis contributes to optimal gait and overall function of the patient. The current offering of alignment componentry is expensive for low-income countries. The purpose of this study was to develop a lightweight and low-cost alignment coupler for the lower limb prosthesis. Methods An alignment coupler called the reversible adjustable coupling was designed and manufactured. Measurements of total anterior/posterior and medial/lateral and rotation in prostheses were recorded and mechanical testing performed. Swiftness and difficulty of use was also recorded. Results The reversible adjustable coupling permitted acceptable ranges of anterior/posterior and medial/lateral translation and 30° of internal and external rotation of prosthetic componentry. Repetitive loading of the coupling at a speed of 1 Hz under 1.28 kN load for 2000 cycles was successful, as were static and strength tests. Discussion The coupler provided acceptable ranges of anterior/posterior and medial/lateral and rotation adjustment and is acceptable for potential use in the alignment of both exoskeletal and endoskeletal prosthesis. The final weight of the component was 166 g and cost of $55.00 USD is affordable for low-income countries for use in clinical and educational settings.

scholarly journals Towards an estimation of 3D efforts in lower limb prosthesis socket using low-cost, gauge-based acquisition system

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (sup1) ◽  
pp. S7-S9
Author(s):  
A. Altamirano ◽  
D. Jacquot ◽  
D. Mangenot ◽  
C. Villa ◽  
E. Vacherand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Acquisition System ◽  
Lower Limb Prosthesis ◽  
Limb Prosthesis

Assessing a low-cost accelerometer-based technique to estimate spatial gait parameters of lower-limb prosthesis users

2016 ◽  
Vol 40 (5) ◽  
pp. 643-648 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew J Major ◽  
Pooja Raghavan ◽  
Steven Gard
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Step Length ◽  
Correction Factors ◽  
Clinical Environment ◽  
Gait Quality ◽  
Subject Specific ◽  
Lower Limb Prosthesis ◽  
Specific Correction ◽  
Limb Prosthesis

Background and aim:Inexpensive methods for characterizing lower-limb prosthetic gait allow clinicians to monitor gait quality. This study assessed an established method for estimating step length using a low-cost accelerometer to estimate distance walked in lower-limb prosthesis users and explore the use of subject-specific correction factors.Technique:A three-axis accelerometer was attached to participants using straps. Validity and test–retest reliability of step length was assessed in able-bodied individuals using a motion capture system. Validity of distance walked was assessed with lower-limb prosthesis users. A regression equation was developed for prosthesis users to estimate a correction factor that minimized error.Discussion:The system demonstrated excellent reliability and minimal mean error for both participant groups, but subject-specific correction factors did not provide substantial benefit. Estimate variability was high, suggesting the need for further refinement. Estimating distance walked and step length from low-cost accelerometers may be a valid, clinically accessible method for characterizing prosthetic gait.Clinical relevanceThe use of a low-cost accelerometer may provide valid means for estimating step length and distance walked of lower-limb prosthesis users in a clinical environment for monitoring patient outcomes.

Development of a Novel Lower Limb Prosthesis Using Low Cost Composite Materials

1994 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-313 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric K. Bartkus ◽  
James M. Colvin ◽  
Robert E. Arbogast
Keyword(s):  
Composite Materials ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Lower Limb Prosthesis ◽  
Limb Prosthesis

scholarly journals A low-cost easily implementable physiotherapy intervention clinically improves gait implying better adaptation to lower limb prosthesis: a randomized clinical trial

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Leticia Vargas Almeida ◽  
Claudiane Arakaki Fukuchi ◽  
Tania Emi Sakanaka ◽  
Alberto Cliquet
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Lower Limb Amputation ◽  
Limb Amputation ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Physiotherapy Intervention ◽  
Lower Limb Prosthesis ◽  
Limb Prosthesis

AbstractLower limb amputation highly impacts the lives of individuals. The inability to walk due to difficulties in adapting to wearing prosthesis can potentially result in physical degeneration and comorbidity in this population. In this randomized clinical trial study, we investigated if a low-cost and easily implementable physiotherapy intervention was effective in improving gait performance and adaptation to lower limb prosthesis in individuals with an amputation. A total of 26 individuals participated in the study, 16 with lower limb amputation and 10 without amputation. Participants with amputation were further divided in intervention and control groups. The intervention group underwent a rehabilitation protocol aimed at strengthening muscles and improving prosthesis adaptation. Muscle strengthening targeted the hip segment, prioritizing the abdominal muscles, hip flexors, extensors, adductors and abductors, followed by cicatricial mobilization and weight-bearing on the stump for desensitization. Assessment and measures were performed across the kinetic and kinematic parameters of gait. In the comparison between pre-and post-intervention, a significant increase in gait speed (0.68—2.98, 95% CI, 1.83, effect size ES) and cadence (0.56—2.69, 95% CI, 1.63, ES) was found between groups and time points. Step (0.73—3.11, 95% CI, 1.92, ES) and stride length (0.62—2.84, 95% CI, 1.73) increased between pre- and post-intervention, while in the control group both variables remained smaller. The intervention group decreased stance phase as a percentage of gait cycle between pre- and post-intervention (− 1.33—0.62, 95% CI, − 36, ES), while it increased in the control group. Improvement in a combination of important gait parameters indicates that the intervention protocol promoted the adaptation to prosthesis and the functional independence of individuals with lower limb amputation. It is recommended that the participants continue receiving follow-up assessments and rehabilitation interventions.

scholarly journals Reliability of a New Portable Dynamometer for Assessing Hip and Lower Limb Strength

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (8) ◽  
pp. 3391
Author(s):  
Jan Marušič ◽  
Goran Marković ◽  
Nejc Šarabon
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
External Rotation ◽  
Peak Torque ◽  
Knee Extension ◽  
Lower Limb Muscles ◽  
Lower Limb Strength ◽  
Flexion Extension ◽  
Strength Tests ◽  
Hip Abduction ◽  
Maximal Peak

The purpose of this study was to evaluate intra- and inter-session reliability of the new, portable, and externally fixated dynamometer called MuscleBoard® for assessing the strength of hip and lower limb muscles. Hip abduction, adduction, flexion, extension, internal and external rotation, knee extension, ankle plantarflexion, and Nordic hamstring exercise strength were measured in three sessions (three sets of three repetitions for each test) on 24 healthy and recreationally active participants. Average and maximal value of normalized peak torque (Nm/kg) from three repetitions in each set and agonist:antagonist ratios (%) were statistically analyzed; the coefficient of variation and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC2,k) were calculated to assess absolute and relative reliability, respectively. Overall, the results display high to excellent intra- and inter-session reliability with low to acceptable within-individual variation for average and maximal peak torques in all bilateral strength tests, while the reliability of unilateral strength tests was moderate to good. Our findings indicate that using the MuscleBoard® dynamometer can be a reliable device for assessing and monitoring bilateral and certain unilateral hip and lower limb muscle strength, while some unilateral strength tests require some refinement and more extensive familiarization.

scholarly journals Evaluation of a Low-Cost Commercial Actigraph and Its Potential Use in Detecting Cultural Variations in Physical Activity and Sleep

Sensors ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (11) ◽  
pp. 3774
Author(s):  
Pavlos Topalidis ◽  
Cristina Florea ◽  
Esther-Sevil Eigl ◽  
Anton Kurapov ◽  
Carlos Alberto Beltran Leon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Low Income ◽  
Large Scale ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Low Income Countries ◽  
Time Data ◽  
Cultural Variations ◽  
Step Counts ◽  
Scale Step ◽  
Potential Use

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the performance of a low-cost commercial smartwatch, the Xiaomi Mi Band (MB), in extracting physical activity and sleep-related measures and show its potential use in addressing questions that require large-scale real-time data and/or intercultural data including low-income countries. We evaluated physical activity and sleep-related measures and discussed the potential application of such devices for large-scale step and sleep data acquisition. To that end, we conducted two separate studies. In Study 1, we evaluated the performance of MB by comparing it to the GT3X (ActiGraph, wGT3X-BT), a scientific actigraph used in research, as well as subjective sleep reports. In Study 2, we distributed the MB across four countries (Austria, Germany, Cuba, and Ukraine) and investigated physical activity and sleep among these countries. The results of Study 1 indicated that MB step counts correlated highly with the scientific GT3X device, but did display biases. In addition, the MB-derived wake-up and total-sleep-times showed high agreement with subjective reports, but partly deviated from GT3X predictions. Study 2 revealed similar MB step counts across countries, but significant later wake-up and bedtimes for Ukraine than the other countries. We hope that our studies will stimulate future large-scale sensor-based physical activity and sleep research studies, including various cultures.

Nonlinear Passive Cam-Based Springs for Powered Ankle Prostheses

2015 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jonathan Realmuto ◽  
Glenn Klute ◽  
Santosh Devasia
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Nonlinear Response ◽  
Experimental Results ◽  
Passive Element ◽  
Ankle Torque ◽  
Lower Limb Prosthesis ◽  
Limb Prosthesis ◽  
Elastic Elements

This article studies the design of passive elastic elements to reduce the actuator requirements for powered ankle prostheses. The challenge is to achieve most of the typically nonlinear ankle response with the passive element so that the active ankle-torque from the actuator can be small. The main contribution of this article is the design of a cam-based lower-limb prosthesis to achieve such a nonlinear ankle response. Results are presented to show that the addition of the cam-based passive element can reduce the peak actuator torque requirement substantially, by ∼74%. Moreover, experimental results are presented to demonstrate that the cam-based design can achieve a desired nonlinear response to within 10%.

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