CAREER: A Gait Powered, Active Above-Knee Prosthesis: Synthesis and Mechanical Evaluation

本研究的重点是能够产生和维持膝关节扭矩的主动假体。主动假肢比传统的被动假肢更有优势，因为后者不能根据截肢者的需求产生膝关节扭矩，也不能与外部施加的扭矩相反，因此对于需要在部分弯曲的膝盖上承重的活动用处有限。该项目研究了一种独特的动力源——步态周期动力学——以提供足够的能量，这些能量可以被回收、储存并用于主动假肢的扭矩产生。将建模、设计和制造一种膝关节-踝关节驱动器，该驱动器可以从步态周期中回收能量并产生膝关节扭矩，用于步态和爬楼梯。一项广泛的实验研究将评估其能量回收和主动扭矩产生能力。教育部分侧重于针对研究生和高年级本科生的生物力学工程课程的开发，这些课程促进工程专业学生与临床和医学专业人员之间的互动，强调沟通和协作对改进治疗和设备的重要性。将建立生物力学实验室，支持分析和实验研究项目，以促进研究工作并为课程主题提供实验支持。其他教育目标包括促进远程学习，鼓励妇女和未被充分代表的少数民族从事工程事业。

This research is focused on active prostheses, which are capable of generating and sustaining knee joint torques. Active porstheses are advantageous over conventional passive prostheses, since the latter cannot generate knee torques in response to the amputee's demands or in opposition to externally applied torques and thus have limited usefulness for activities requiring weight bearing on a partially flexed knee. The project investigates a unique power source - the dynamics of the gait cycle - to provide sufficient energy that can be recovered, stored and used by active prostheses for torque generation. A knee-ankle actuator that can recover energy from the gait cycle and generate knee joint torques for gait and stair climb will be modeled, designed, and built. An extensive experimental study will evaluate its energy recovery and active torque generation capab - ilities. The education component focuses on the development of biomechanical engineering courses, targeted at graduate students and upper level undergraduates, that promote interaction between engineering students and clinical and medical professionals, emphasizing the importance of communication and collaboration for improved treatments and devices. A biomechanics laboratory supporting analytical and experimental research projects will be developed to facilitate research efforts and to provide experimental support to course topics. Other educational objectives include promoting distance learning, and encouraging women and underrepresented minorities to pursue careers in engineering.