Apto-Ankle: Passive, Compliant Ankle with Enhanced Energy Storage and Return in Gait

项目总结 Apto-ankle项目将创造一种新型的低成本、轻便、无动力的被动顺应性脚踝 解决目前市场上液压被动踝关节的弱点，结合+/-10°足底和 背屈与步态相关的脚趾锁以提供能量储存和返回，所有这些都不使用 微处理器或动力组件。 适用于DMERC K-2和K-3截肢患者，它将帮助他们更有效和 在他们的社区环境中舒适地移动，提供记录在案的被动合规性优势 前足负荷的踝关节从踝关节的能量耗散转变为踝关节的能量储存 动态储能回脚。这种方法解决了现有被动方式的弱点 在不增加微处理器控制的脚踝的功率或复杂性的情况下，使脚踝保持柔顺。机械地 基于从正常行走获得的参数的控制动力学，而不需要额外的认知 用户的负担，这种设计提供了一种步态和环境合适的过渡期间从 合规、消能到动态储能和回流。 Apto-ankle项目有三个主要目标：1)设计和建造3个用于测试的Apto-ankle原型 可调节组件，可确定长凳上和使用者的步态相关行为，2)长凳 测试以根据设计规范评估脚踝性能并确认安全性和健壮性 临床评估和3)通过将概念验证脚踝适当地匹配到使用者和评估 它在步态实验室里。初步评估结果将包括客观、可测量的步态参数和 来自用户的主观临床调查反馈。Apto-ankle Will的成功设计与实现 使失去胫骨肢体的人能够在正常的社区环境中更容易地走动， 在他们典型的活动和活动中增加稳定性，增加步行的数量和舒适度 周围的环境。Apto-ankle的商业应用是一种低成本的K-2和K-3轻量级义肢 这鼓励了胫骨假体使用者的行走、独立性和生活质量。

PROJECT SUMMARY The Apto-Ankle project will create a novel low-cost, lightweight, unpowered passive compliant ankle that addresses the weaknesses of currently marketed hydraulic passive ankles by combining +/-10° of plantar and dorsiflexion with a gait dependent toe lock to provide energy storage and return, all without use of microprocessors or powered components. Appropriate for DMERC K-2 and K-3 individuals with transtibial limb loss, it will help them more efficiently and comfortably ambulate in their community environment, providing the documented benefits of passive compliant ankles with a forefoot loading phase transition from energy dissipation in the ankle to energy storage in the dynamic energy storage and return foot. This approach addresses the weaknesses of existing passive compliant ankles without adding the power or complexity of microprocessor-controlled ankles. By mechanically controlling dynamics based on parameters derived from normal ambulation and without additional cognitive burden on users, this design provides a gait and environmentally appropriate transition during stance from compliant, energy dissipation to dynamic energy storage and return. The Apto-Ankle project has three primary aims: 1) design and construction of 3 prototype Apto-Ankles to test adjustable components that determine gait dependent behaviors, both on the bench and on users, 2) bench testing to assess ankle performance against design specifications and confirm safety and robustness prior to clinical evaluation and 3) evaluate the proof-of-concept ankle by appropriately fitting it to users and evaluating it in a gait lab. Primary assessment outcomes will include objective measurable gait parameters and subjective clinical survey feedback from users. Successful design and implementation of the Apto-Ankle will enable individuals with transtibial limb loss to more easily ambulate in their normal community environment, increase stability, and increase amount of and comfort with ambulation in their typical activities and surroundings. The commercial application of Apto-Ankle is a low-cost, K-2 and K-3, lightweight prosthetic ankle that encourages ambulation, independence, and quality of life for transtibial prosthesis users.