Some functions of walking are adversely affected in prosthesis users because of reduced or absent ankle motion. However, combining a prosthetic ankle unit with a particular prosthetic foot could have unanticipated consequences. This study investigated the effect of prosthetic ankle units on the gait of persons with bilateral transtibial amputations. Subjects were tested while walking with and w...

This research presents the design and preliminary evaluation of an electromyographically (EMG) controlled 2-degree-of-freedom (DOF) ankle-foot prosthesis designed to enhance rock climbing ability in persons with transtibial amputation. The comprises motorized ankle subtalar joints, is capable emulating some key biomechanical behaviors exhibited by complex during maneuvers. free space motion dev...

Amputees using passive ankle-foot prostheses tend to expend more metabolic energy during walking than non-amputees, and reducing this cost has been a central motivation for the development of active ankle-foot prostheses. Increased push-off work at the end of stance has been proposed as a way to reduce metabolic energy use, but the effects of push-off work have not been tested in isolation. In ...

Achieving the required functionality of a transtibial prosthesis during the stance phase of gait (e.g., shock absorption, close to normal roll-over characteristics, and smooth transition into swing) depends on the Amputee Independent Prosthesis Properties (AIPPs), defined here as the mechanical properties of the prosthesis that directly influence the performance of the amputee. Accordingly, if ...

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between stride-to-stride fluctuations and prosthesis preference. Thirteen individuals with unilateral, transtibial amputation consented to participate. Individuals walked on a treadmill for 3 min with their prescribed and an alternate prosthesis. Stride-to-stride fluctuations were quantified with the largest Lyapunov exponent (LyE) of ...

BACKGROUND Good suspension lessens the pistoning (vertical displacement) of the residual limb inside the prosthetic socket. Several methods are used for measuring the pistoning. STUDY DESIGN Clinical trial. OBJECTIVES To introduce and evaluate a new simple method for measuring the pistoning between the soft liner and socket in transtibial prostheses. METHODS Five transtibial prostheses wi...

The well-established finite element method (FEM) has been used successfully to evaluate and develop medical devices for lower-limb prosthetics over recent decades. Most numerical models are based on a specific 3D geometry, which, although allowing an accurate analysis of case, may differ significantly from the target group that is often geometrically closer average residual limb. In order addre...