scholarly journals Low Cost 3D Scanners Along the Design of Lower Limb Prosthesis

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claudio COMOTTI ◽  
Giorgio COLOMBO ◽  
Daniele REGAZZONI ◽  
Caterina RIZZI ◽  
Andrea VITALI
Keyword(s):  
Lower Limb ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Lower Limb Prosthesis ◽  
3D Scanners ◽  
Limb Prosthesis

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.

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%.

Reduced cortical brain activity with the use of microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knees during walking

2018 ◽  
Vol 43 (3) ◽  
pp. 257-265 ◽  
Author(s):  
Saffran Möller ◽  
David Rusaw ◽  
Kerstin Hagberg ◽  
Nerrolyn Ramstrand
Keyword(s):  
Cognitive Processes ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Brain Activity ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Healthy Controls ◽  
Prosthetic Knee ◽  
Level Walking ◽  
Lower Limb Prosthesis ◽  
Prosthetic Knees ◽  
Limb Prosthesis

Background: Individuals using a lower-limb prosthesis indicate that they need to concentrate on every step they take. Despite self-reports of increased cognitive demand, there is limited understanding of the link between cognitive processes and walking when using a lower-limb prosthesis. Objective: The objective was to assess cortical brain activity during level walking in individuals using different prosthetic knee components and compare them to healthy controls. It was hypothesized that the least activity would be observed in the healthy control group, followed by individuals using a microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee and finally individuals using a non-microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee. Study design: Cross-sectional study. Methods: An optical brain imaging system was used to measure relative changes in concentration of oxygenated and de-oxygenated haemoglobin in the frontal and motor cortices during level walking. The number of steps and time to walk 10 m was also recorded. The 6-min walk test was assessed as a measure of functional capacity. Results: Individuals with a transfemoral or knee-disarticulation amputation, using non-microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee ( n = 14) or microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee ( n = 15) joints and healthy controls ( n = 16) participated in the study. A significant increase was observed in cortical brain activity of individuals walking with a non-microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee when compared to healthy controls ( p < 0.05) and individuals walking with an microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee joint ( p < 0.05). Conclusion: Individuals walking with a non-microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee demonstrated an increase in cortical brain activity compared to healthy individuals. Use of a microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee was associated with less cortical brain activity than use of a non-microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee. Clinical relevance Increased understanding of cognitive processes underlying walking when using different types of prosthetic knees can help to optimize selection of prosthetic components and provide an opportunity to enhance functioning with a prosthesis.

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