Developing instrumentation and techniques to assess the biomechanical performance of SideStix high-performance crutches and other commonly used upper body ambulatory aids

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Sidestix Ventures Inc. is a company based out of British Columbia that develops technologies to enable mobility. Its flagship product line, the SideStix high-performance forearm crutches has been developed to reduce the physical impact of crutch gait through the use of a patent pending dynamic shaft, ball-and-socket joint at the crutch foot, and ergonomically-designed handles and cuffs to improve the transmission of forces to the hands and arms. The SideStix product is targeted at a growing population of individuals with lower-limb impairments who, despite their disabilities, are able to utilize upper-limb walking aids to pursue physically active lifestyles. The focus of this project is to develop an instrument to quantify the biomechanical performance of the unique features of the SideStix crutches, in relevant (out-of lab) environments. As part of this project, SideStix Ventures will work with Dr. Jan Andrysek at the University of Toronto Institute of Biomaterials and Biomedical Engineering to develop the instrumentation, drawing from his and his team's extensive experience in the area of biomechanics, instrumented gait assessments, and evaluation of mobility-aid assisted gait. In combination with data from an instrumented human movement laboratory, the instruments that will be developed and adapted will provide key information about the interfacial forces between the body and crutches during gait. For Sidestix Ventures, gaining this information is important as it will help guide further technical development of the SideStix products. It will also help them to more clearly define and advertise the beneficial functional attributes of the product, thus increasing the competitive advantage. The SideStix crutch is a Canadian-manufactured product that has the potential to improve health of individuals by facilitating a physically active lifestyle and decreasing secondary health complications associated with crutch gait.