Article

In the present study, a new approach was applied to design
and develop a viscoelastic ankle-foot prosthesis. The aim was to replicate the
intact ankle moment-angle loop in the normal walking speed. TECHNIQUE: The
moment-angle loop of intact ankle was divided into four parts, and the
appropriate models including two viscoelastic units of spring-damper mechanism
were considered to replicate the passive ankle dynamics. The developed prototype
was then tested on a healthy subject with the amputee gait simulator. The result
showed that prosthetic ankle moment-angle loop was similar to that of intact
ankle with the distinct four periods. DISCUSSION: The findings suggest that the
prototype successfully provided the human ankle passive dynamics. Therefore, the
viscoelastic units could imitate the four periods of a normal gait. CLINICAL
RELEVANCE: The novel viscoelastic foot prosthesis could provide natural ankle
dynamics in a gait cycle. Applying simple but biomechanical approach is suggested
in conception of new designs for prosthetic ankle-foot mechanisms.
CI - (c) The International Society for Prosthetics and Orthotics 2014.

Langue : ANGLAIS