scholarly journals Feasibility and Design of a Low-Cost Prosthetic Knee Joint Using a Compliant Member for Stance-Phase Control

2010 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Daniel G. Harrison ◽  
Jan Andrysek ◽  
William L. Cleghorn
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Stance Phase ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
Phase Locking ◽  
Phase Control ◽  
Prosthetic Knee ◽  
Engineering Software ◽  
Qualitative Feedback ◽  
Locking Mechanism ◽  
Prosthetic Knee Joint

This paper is concerned with the feasibility and design of a low-cost prosthetic knee joint that uses a compliant member for stance-phase control. A mechanical locking mechanism was used in conjunction with a compliant control axis to achieve automatic stance-phase locking. The concept was developed with the aid of computer-aided engineering software and was validated through the fabrication and testing of a simplified prototype made of an injection moldable polymer. A prosthetic knee joint was then designed, incorporating the compliant member concept. After modeling, fabrication, and laboratory testing, a pilot study was conducted in a clinical setting. A simple gait analysis showed asymmetric gait patterns that demonstrated the need for improved swing-phase control and damping, while qualitative feedback indicated the desire to reduce the noise produced by the knee. The knee provided the automatic stance-phase control for which it was designed and shows significant potential to evolve into a highly functioning, low-cost knee.

Lower extremity joint kinematics of stair ascent in transfemoral amputees

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (4) ◽  
pp. 467-472 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroaki Hobara ◽  
Yoshiyuki Kobayashi ◽  
Takashi Nakamura ◽  
Nobuya Yamasaki ◽  
Kimitaka Nakazawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Lower Extremity ◽  
Stance Phase ◽  
Reaction Force ◽  
Joint Kinematics ◽  
Whole Body ◽  
Prosthetic Knee ◽  
Stair Ascent ◽  
Transfemoral Amputees ◽  
Prosthetic Knee Joint

Background: Stair ascent is a very demanding task for transfemoral amputees (TFAs). The purpose of this study was to investigate the lower extremity joint kinematics of TFAs who can climb stairs using a step-over-step gait pattern without an active artificial prosthetic knee joint or handrail use. Case Description and Methods: Case series. Participants were two traumatic TFAs and 10 control participants. Both TFAs used a single-axis prosthetic knee joint in daily living. Sagittal plane joint kinematics were recorded at 60 Hz using an eight-camera motion analysis system and digital video camera. Findings and Outcomes: From the instant of touchdown, the prosthetic knee joint was rapidly extended and remained fully extended until toe-off. In the latter half of the stance phase, the knee and ankle joints of the sound limb simultaneously showed rapid joint flexion during continuous extension. Further, the ankle joint of the sound limb showed greater plantarflexion at the end of the stance phase. Conclusion: These results suggest that the TFA in the present study would (1) extend the prosthetic knee joint to prevent the knee flexion generated by the bodyweight (plus ground reaction force and/or joint moment), and (2) lift the whole body in an upward direction using strong counter-movements and greater joint extension during the stance phase.

Mobility function of a prosthetic knee joint with an automatic stance phase lock

2011 ◽  
Vol 35 (2) ◽  
pp. 163-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jan Andrysek ◽  
Susan Klejman ◽  
Ricardo Torres-Moreno ◽  
Winfried Heim ◽  
Bryan Steinnagel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Study Design ◽  
Stance Phase ◽  
Walking Speed ◽  
Cost Effective ◽  
Cost Index ◽  
Prosthetic Knee ◽  
Mobility Function ◽  
New Type ◽  
Prosthetic Knee Joint

Background: There is a need for a prosthetic knee joint design that is technologically and functionally appropriate for use in developing countries.Objectives: To develop and clinically evaluate a new type of stance phase controlled prosthetic knee joint that provides stance phase stability without inhibiting swing phase flexion.Study design: A crossover repeated measures study design comparing the new knee joint to the participant's conventional low- or high-end prosthetic knee joint.Methods: The new knee joint was fitted to fourteen individuals aged 15 to 67 years with unilateral lower limb amputations. Walk tests were performed to measure walking speed. Energy expenditure was estimated using the physiological cost index (PCI).Results: Walking speeds with the new knee joint were on average 0.14 m/s faster than conventional low-end knees ( p < 0.0001), but 0.07 m/s slower than conventional high-end prosthetic knees ( p = 0.008). The PCI was similar across all three knee joint technologies ( p = 0.276).Conclusions: Mobility function with the new knee joint, in terms of walking speed, was more closely matched to high-end than low-end prosthetic knee joints. Therefore, given its relatively simple design, the new stance phase control mechanism may offer a functional and cost effective solution for active transfemoral amputees.Clinical relevance This paper describes a new type of prosthetic knee joint mechanism that is intended to be cost-effective while providing high-level stance phase function to active individuals with a transfemoral amputation. Initial clinical testing suggests that the new knee joint may have some functional advantages over existing technologies in this category.

scholarly journals A novel prosthetic knee joint with a parallel spring and damping mechanism

2016 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 172988141665817 ◽  
Author(s):  
Huiqun Fu ◽  
Xiufeng Zhang ◽  
Xitai Wang ◽  
Rong Yang ◽  
Jian Li ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Prosthetic Knee ◽  
Prosthetic Knee Joint

Chronic septic arthritis and osteomyelitis in a prosthetic knee joint due toClostridium difficile

1995 ◽  
Vol 14 (7) ◽  
pp. 599-601 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Pron ◽  
J. Merckx ◽  
P. Touzet ◽  
A. Ferroni ◽  
C. Poyart ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Knee Joint ◽  
Septic Arthritis ◽  
Prosthetic Knee ◽  
Prosthetic Knee Joint
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