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

SBIR 第二阶段：一种新颖的离合器机构，可实现更直观、更稳定的假肢膝关节

• 批准号: 2025771
• 负责人: Paul Pomeroy
• 金额: $ 98.79万
• 依托单位: Xonotiv LLC
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 项目类别: Cooperative Agreement
• 财政年份: 2020
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2020-09-15 至 2025-02-28
• 项目状态: 未结题
• 来源: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2025771&HistoricalAwards=false
• 关键词: SBIR; Phase; II; novel; clutch

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to help more amputees walk safely with less effort. Approximately 800,000 individuals live with a major lower limb amputation, and this number is growing largely due to diabetes. The 50,000 amputees each year who need a new prosthetic knee have two options: learn to use a traditional prosthetic knee or attempt to obtain a high-tech, computer-controlled knee. The first option requires that the amputee learn and execute specific technique(s) to walk safely, while the latter does so automatically but cost $30,000-100,000 and requires physical qualification, limiting the 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 any 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 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project proposes to develop and test a novel prosthetic knee. This project will explore the trade space of mechanical and analytical capabilities. This project will validate intuitive movement and universal stability for above-knee amputees through its innovative swing- and stance-phase functionality. This work will 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.

这项小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第二阶段项目的更广泛影响和商业潜力是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，这一数字还在不断增长，主要是由于糖尿病。每年有5万名截肢者需要一个新的假膝，他们有两个选择：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。第一种选择要求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，限制了可用性。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。它可以防止屈曲，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。这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）二期项目提议开发和测试一种新型假膝。该项目将探索机械和分析能力的贸易空间。该项目将通过其创新的摆动和姿态功能验证膝盖以上截肢者的直观运动和普遍稳定性。这项工作将促进义肢，康复和双足运动的知识。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。