Article

Gait initiation in transfemoral amputees (TFA) is different from non-amputees.
This is mainly caused by the lack of stability and push-off from the prosthetic
leg. Adding control and artificial push-off to the prosthesis may therefore be
beneficial to TFA. In this study the feasibility of real-time intention detection
of gait initiation was determined by mimicking the TFA situation in non-amputees.
EMG and inertial sensor data was measured in 10 non-amputees. Only data available
in TFA was used to determine if gait initiation can be predicted in time to
control a transfemoral prosthesis to generate push-off and stability. Toe-off and
heel-strike of the leading limb are important parameters to be detected, to
control a prosthesis and to time push-off. The results show that toe-off and
heel-strike of the leading limb can be detected using EMG and kinematic data in
non-amputees 130-260 ms in advance. This leaves enough time to control a
prosthesis. Based on these results we hypothesize that similar results can be
found in TFA, allowing for adequate control of a prosthesis during gait
initiation.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS