Article

The purpose of this study was to design a new automated stiffness measurement
device which could perform a simultaneous measurement of both dorsi- and
plantarflexion angles and the corresponding resistive torque around the
rotational centre of an articulated ankle-foot orthosis (AAFO). This was achieved
by controlling angular velocities and range of motion in the sagittal plane. The
device consisted of a hydraulic servo fatigue testing machine, a torque meter, a
potentiometer, a rotary plate and an upright supporter to enable an AAFO to be
attached to the device via a surrogate shank. The accuracy of the device in
reproducing the range of motion and angular velocity was within 4% and 1%
respectively in the range of motion of 30 degrees (15 degrees plantarflexion to
15 degrees dorsiflexion) at the angular velocity of 10 degrees /s, while that in
the measurement of AAFO torque was within 8% at the 0 degrees position. The
device should prove useful to assist an orthotist or a manufacturer to quantify
the stiffness of an AAFO and inform its clinical use.

Langue : ANGLAIS