Comparing Plantarflexor Power and Function using Carbon Fiber Versus Traditional Thermoplastic Ankle Foot Orthoses: Case Series

2015 ◽  
Vol 03 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
Mary K Hastings
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Fiber ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Foot Orthoses ◽  
Ankle Foot Orthoses ◽  
And Function

Carbon Fiber Based Twisted and Coiled Artificial Muscles (TCAMs) for Powered Ankle-Foot Orthoses (AFO)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Parth Kotak ◽  
Jason Wilken ◽  
Kirsten Anderson ◽  
Caterina Lamuta
Keyword(s):  
Carbon Fiber ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Input Voltage ◽  
Input Power ◽  
Artificial Muscles ◽  
Specific Work ◽  
Foot Orthoses ◽  
Ankle Foot Orthoses ◽  
Low Cost Manufacturing

Abstract Ankle foot orthoses (AFOs) control the position and motion of the ankle, compensate for weakness, and correct deformities. AFOs can be classified as passive or powered. Powered AFOs overcome the limitations of passive AFOs by adapting their performance to meet a variety of requirements. However, the actuators currently used to power AFOs are typically heavy, bulky, expensive, or limited to laboratory settings. Thus, there is a strong need for lightweight, inexpensive, and flexible actuators for powering AFOs. In this technical brief, Carbon Fiber/Silicone Rubber (CF/SR) Twisted and Coiled Artificial Muscles (TCAMs) are proposed as novel actuators for powered AFOs. CF/SR TCAMs can lift up to 12,600 times their weight with an input power of only 0.025 W cm-1 and are fabricated from inexpensive materials through a low-cost manufacturing process. Additionally, they can provide a specific work of 758 J kg-1 when an input voltage of 1.64 V cm-1 is applied. A mechanical characterization of CF/SR TCAMs in terms of length/tension, tension/velocity, and active-passive length/tension is presented, and results are compared with the performance of skeletal muscles. A gait analysis demonstrates that CF/SR TCAMs can provide the performance required to supplement lower limb musculature and replicate the gait cycle of a healthy subject. Therefore, the preliminary results provided in this brief are a stepping stone for a dynamic AFO powered by CF/SR TCAMs.

scholarly journals Forces and moments in knee–ankle–foot orthoses while walking on irregular surfaces: A case series study

2013 ◽  
Vol 38 (2) ◽  
pp. 104-113 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Andrysek ◽  
Susan Klejman ◽  
John Kooy
Keyword(s):  
Knee Flexion ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Case Series ◽  
Assistive Devices ◽  
Foot Orthoses ◽  
Irregular Surfaces ◽  
Case Series Study ◽  
Peak Knee ◽  
Ankle Foot Orthoses ◽  
Series Study

Background: Kinetic data provide important information about the mobility performance of individuals with lower limb impairments and their assistive devices; however, there is limited understanding of this in real-life environments. Objective: To evaluate the effect of real-life irregular surfaces on forces and moments in knee–ankle–foot orthoses. Methods: In this case series study, a load cell was used to measure the forces and moments at the knee joint of knee–ankle–foot orthoses of individuals with unilateral muscle weakness as a result of poliomyelitis while walking on different ground surfaces and at different speeds. Results: Significantly higher shear forces and external peak knee flexion moments were found when walking on irregular surfaces. In individual cases, certain irregular ground conditions elicited large increases in peak flexion moments (>50%) when compared to walking on smooth level ground. Forces and moments were significantly higher at faster walking speeds. Conclusions: Higher external peak knee flexion moments during the stance phase suggest that greater demands for support and stability are placed on individuals and their assistive devices when negotiating real-life ground surfaces. Clinical relevance This study demonstrates that walking on irregular surfaces alters the loads placed on knee–ankle–foot orthoses and that the requirements for knee stabilization increase. This has important clinical implications on the design, prescription, and use of such devices given the structural and functional demands placed on them.

scholarly journals Manufacturing and analysis of carbon fiber knee ankle foot orthosis

2018 ◽  
Vol 7 (4) ◽  
pp. 2236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayad M. Takhakh ◽  
Saif M. Abbas
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Spinal Cord ◽  
Carbon Fiber ◽  
Tensile Tests ◽  
Foot Orthoses ◽  
Well Control ◽  
Ankle Foot Orthosis ◽  
Cord Injury ◽  
Ankle Foot Orthoses ◽  
Foot Orthosis

Knee ankle foot orthoses (KAFOs) are used by paraplegia patients with low level spinal cord injury and having well control of the stem muscles. Four layers of carbon fiber with C- orthocryl lamination resin are used for manufacturing the knee ankle foot orthoses in this work. The mechanical properties of most of the components materials were estimated with the aid of fatigue and tensile test machines. Results of the tensile tests showed that the mechanical properties: yield stress, ultimate strength and modulus of elasticity were 92MPa, 105.7MPa and 2GPa respectively. The value of amidst pressure between the patient limb and the manufactured KAFO was measured using (F-socket) Mat scan sensor and these values of pressure were (663kPa) and (316kPa) for the thigh and calf regions respectively. 

Poster 362: Application of Microprocessor Stance Control Knee Ankle Foot Orthoses: A Case Series Report

PM&R ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. S160-S160
Author(s):  
Weibin Yang ◽  
Howard R. Burgess ◽  
Gary A. Lamb ◽  
Paul Lanciault ◽  
Mary Perez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Case Series ◽  
Foot Orthoses ◽  
Stance Control ◽  
Ankle Foot Orthoses ◽  
Case Series Report ◽  
Control Knee ◽  
Series Report

Selective Laser Sintered Versus Carbon Fiber Passive-Dynamic Ankle-Foot Orthoses: A Comparison of Patient Walking Performance

2014 ◽  
Vol 136 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicole G. Harper ◽  
Elizabeth M. Russell ◽  
Jason M. Wilken ◽  
Richard R. Neptune
Keyword(s):  
Mechanical Properties ◽  
Carbon Fiber ◽  
Lower Limb ◽  
Selective Laser Sintering ◽  
Foot Orthoses ◽  
Gait Performance ◽  
Ankle Foot Orthoses ◽  
Subject Specific ◽  
Walking Performance ◽  
Design Characteristics

Selective laser sintering (SLS) is a well-suited additive manufacturing technique for generating subject-specific passive-dynamic ankle-foot orthoses (PD-AFOs). However, the mechanical properties of SLS PD-AFOs may differ from those of commonly prescribed carbon fiber (CF) PD-AFOs. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine if biomechanical measures during gait differ between CF and stiffness-matched SLS PD-AFOs. Subject-specific SLS PD-AFOs were manufactured for ten subjects with unilateral lower-limb impairments. Minimal differences in gait performance occurred when subjects used the SLS versus CF PD-AFOs. These results support the use of SLS PD-AFOs to study the effects of altering design characteristics on gait performance.

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