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

这项小型企业创新研究（SBIR）项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力在于帮助更多的截肢者以更少的努力安全地行走。大约有80万人患有下肢截肢，而且由于糖尿病，这个数字还在不断增长。每年有5万名截肢者需要一个新的假膝，他们有两种选择：学习使用传统的假膝，或者尝试获得一个高科技的、电脑控制的假膝。前者需要截肢者学习和执行特定的技术来安全行走，而后者可以自动完成，但费用为3万至10万美元，并且需要身体合格，这极大地限制了它们的可用性。这里开发的新型假膝可以自动提供稳定性，无论截肢者的技术如何。它可以防止弯曲，同时允许用户安全地行走，用户可以产生任何腿部运动。由于它不需要电子设备或电力，所有截肢者都可以使用，无论能力如何，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，并减轻照顾者的负担。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一期项目提议开发和测试一种新型假膝。资金将用于制造原型并进行机械、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，对人类是安全的，值得在截肢者身上进一步发展。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测试，独立实验室将提供破坏性测试，以证明设备的最终强度，并与已知标准进行比较。预期的技术结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姿态功能为截肢者提供直观和普遍可用的稳定性。这项工作将促进对假肢、康复和双足运动的认识。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识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.