SBIR Phase I: A novel clutch mechanism for a more intuitive, stable prosthetic knee

这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力在于帮助更多的截肢者以更少的努力安全行走。大约有80万人生活在下肢截肢的情况下，这个数字在很大程度上是由于糖尿病而增加的。每年有5万名截肢者需要一个新的假肢膝关节，他们有两种选择：学习使用传统的假肢膝关节，或者尝试获得一个高科技的计算机控制的膝关节。前者需要截肢者学习和执行特定的技术来安全行走，而后者则自动完成，但成本为30，000至100，000美元，并且需要身体资格，大大限制了其可用性。这里开发的新型假肢膝关节自动提供稳定性，无论截肢者的技术。它可以防止屈曲，同时允许使用者安全地行走，无论使用者能够产生什么腿部运动。由于它不需要电子设备或电源，因此无论能力如何，所有截肢者都可以使用它，而且成本只是高科技膝盖的一小部分。截肢者将能够以更少的努力走得更远，改善健康和生活质量，减轻照顾者的负担。此外，这种设计可以适用于矫形器，机器人或外骨骼系统。这个SBIR第一阶段项目提出开发和测试一种新的假肢膝关节。资金将用于建造原型，并进行机械、分析和破坏性测试。这项测试是必要的，以证明该设计是可行的，对人类安全，值得进一步发展与截肢者。将获得独立的工程设计审查，然后在生物力学实验室对原型进行功能台架测试，独立实验室将提供破坏性测试，以证明器械的极限强度，并与已知标准进行比较。预期的技术成果包括证明该设备可以支撑300磅的人的重量，以及定量证据表明该设备将通过其创新的摆动和站立阶段功能为截肢者提供直观和普遍可用的稳定性。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project lies in helping more amputees walk safely with less effort. There are approximately 800,000 individuals living with a major lower limb amputation, and this number is growing largely due to diabetes. For 50,000 amputees each year who need a new prosthetic knee, two options exist: learn to use a traditional prosthetic knee or attempt to obtain a high-tech, computer-controlled knee. The former require the amputee learn and execute specific technique(s) to walk safely, while the latter do so automatically but cost $30,000 to $100,000 and require physical qualification, greatly limiting their availability. The novel prosthetic knee developed here offers stability automatically, regardless of amputee technique. It prevents buckling while simultaneously allowing the user to walk safely with whatever leg motions the user is able to generate. Since it requires no electronics or power, it is available to all amputees regardless of ability, and at a fraction of the cost of high-tech knees. Amputees will be able to walk farther with less effort, improving health and quality of life, and easing caregiver burden. Additionally, this design could be adapted for use in orthotic, robotic or exoskeletal systems.This SBIR Phase I project proposes to develop and test a novel prosthetic knee. Funding would be used to build prototypes and conduct mechanical, analytical and destructive testing. This testing is necessary to demonstrate that the design is feasible, safe for humans, and deserving of further development with amputees. An independent engineering design review will be obtained, prototypes will then be bench tested for function in a biomechanics lab, and an independent lab will provide destructive testing to prove ultimate strength of the device for comparison against known standards. The anticipated technical results include proof that the device can support the weight of a 300lb person, and quantitative evidence that the device will afford intuitive and universally available stability to amputees through its innovative swing- and stance-phase functionality. This work would advance the knowledge of prosthetics, rehabilitation and bipedal locomotion.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.