An electromechanical swing-phase-controlled prosthetic knee joint for conversion of physiological energy to electrical energy: feasibility study.
Microprocessor-controlled prostheses facilitate a more natural and efficient gait for individuals with above-knee amputations by continually adjusting the level of swing-phase damping. One caveat associated with these technologies is that the user must charge the onboard batteries on a daily basis. It is, therefore, the aim of this study to examine the feasibility of using an electromechanical system to provide prosthetic swing-phase damping and, concomitantly, the function of converting physiological energy that is normally dissipated during the swing phase, to electrical energy. Gait data from a single subject and data from a kinematic simulator were used to develop an empirical model. The findings in this study indicate that an electromagnetic system has appropriate characteristics for use in swing-phase control and also has the potential to recover energy under particular conditions.
Andrysek
Jan
J
Bloorview Research Institute, Bloorview Kids Rehab, 150 Kilgour Road, Toronto, ON M4G 1R8 Canada. jandrysek@bloorview.ca
Chau
Gilbert
G
D000293:Adolescent; D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D001674:Bioelectric Energy Sources; D003198:Computer Simulation; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D004735:Energy Transfer / Q000502:physiology*; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005684:Gait; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008954:Models, Biological