Biomechanics of Prosthetic Walking

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The aim of this project is a better understanding of the biomechanics of prosthetic walking. Ultrasound, EMG, and pressure measurements in the prosthetic socket are applied for monitoring the prosthesis control and specifically the interaction between stump and socket in above-knee amputees in various terrain conditions. The biomechanical model which is commonly used in instrumented 3D-gait analysis in the clinical context and which serves to compute the inverse dynamics will be modified on the affected side to a realistic mechanical prosthesis model and an additional spring joint in the leg chain, which describes the interaction between the stump and the prosthesis socket. With this procedure it will be possible to determine realistic loads while walking on the remaining anatomical hip and on the stump. The retro-action of various conventional carbon spring feet and mechanical or microprocessor-controlled knee joints which are currently market will be studied as examples of this method for a medical evaluation. In a further step, the biomechanical impact of the prosthesis socket form is to be investigated.As a result, should a methodology will be available which enables innovative patient- and practice-oriented evaluation of the complete prosthesis including the foot, the knee and possibly also an industrially manufactured prosthesis socket. Given the dramatically evolving market of novel, often microprocessor controlled and partially-actuated prosthetic components, this is for the future development of prostheses and thus for the care of people with leg amputation of extraordinary importance.