Powered Walk/Run Prosthetic Ankle

描述(由申请人提供)：在该项目的第一阶段，通过利用创新技术，有可能允许膝盖以下的截肢者使用单一动力假肢装置行走和跑步。在该项目的第二阶段，将展示关键的技术进步和优化将允许一个单一的动力装置在平坦的地面和斜坡上执行行走、跑步和在两者之间转换，以及足够坚固和用户友好，可以在日常活动中佩戴。目前被动假肢的使用者通常会消耗更多的能量，减少脚踝的运动和功率，增加步态不对称，导致关节和背部疼痛。使用机器人肌腱执行器增加脚踝力量将恢复近乎健全的功能，提高生活质量。目前最先进的电动假肢设备电池寿命有限，声音相对较大，最高运行速度较慢，而且不坚固。在该项目中，SpringActive正在开发的关键技术将用于降低电流要求、减少执行器加速、延长电池寿命、降低噪音和提高最高运行速度。PWR脚踝的测试将由明尼阿波利斯VA医疗保健系统进行，由SpringActive提供技术设备支持。我们假设，与被动假体相比，PWR踝关节在快速行走过程中将产生净正功，改变在不同坡面上行走的踝关节有效对齐，表明对坡面的适应性，并改善肢体负荷对称性。

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): In the first phase of this project, it was shown that by utilizing innovative technologies it was possible to allow below the knee amputees to walk and run using a single powered prosthetic device. In the second phase of this project, it will be shown that the key technological advancements and optimizations will allow the a single powered device to perform walking, running, and transitioning between the two while on level ground and slopes, as well as being rugged and user friendly enough that it can be worn during every day activities. Current users of passive prosthetic devices typically expend more energy; have reduced ankle motion and power; and increased gait asymmetry resulting in joint and back pain. Augmenting ankle power with a robotic tendon actuator will restore near able bodied function improving quality of life. The current state of the art powered prosthetic devices have limited battery life, are relatively loud, have a slow top running speed, and are not rugged. During this project, key technologies being developed by SpringActive will be used to lower electrical current requirements, decrease actuator acceleration, increase battery life, reduce noise, and increase the top running speed. Testing of the PWR ankle will be performed by the Minneapolis VA Health Care System with technical device support from SpringActive. We hypothesize that the PWR ankle will produce net positive work during fast walking, produce changes in effective alignment of the ankle for walking on different sloped surfaces, indicating adaptation to the slopes, and improve limb loading symmetry compared with use of passive prostheses.