SBIR Phase II: A novel clutch mechanism for a more intuitive, stable prosthetic knee

这个小型企业创新研究（SBIR）第二阶段项目的更广泛的影响/商业潜力是帮助更多的截肢者以更少的努力安全行走。大约有80万人生活在下肢截肢的情况下，这个数字在很大程度上是由于糖尿病而增加的。每年有5万名截肢者需要新的假肢膝关节，他们有两种选择：学习使用传统的假肢膝关节，或者尝试获得高科技的计算机控制的膝关节。第一种选择要求截肢者学习和执行特定的技术以安全行走，而后者自动完成，但成本为30，000 - 100，000美元，需要身体资格，限制了可用性。这里开发的新型假肢膝关节自动提供稳定性，无论截肢者的技术。它可以防止屈曲，同时允许使用者通过使用者能够产生的任何腿部运动安全地行走。由于它不需要电子设备或电源，因此无论能力如何，所有截肢者都可以使用它，而且成本只是高科技膝盖的一小部分。截肢者将能够以更少的努力走得更远，改善健康和生活质量，减轻照顾者的负担。此外，这种设计可以适用于矫形器，机器人或外骨骼系统。这个小企业创新研究（SBIR）第二阶段项目建议开发和测试一种新型的假肢膝关节。该项目将探索机械和分析能力的贸易空间。 该项目将通过其创新的摆动和站立阶段功能验证膝上截肢者的直观运动和通用稳定性。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project is to help more amputees walk safely with less effort. Approximately 800,000 individuals live with a major lower limb amputation, and this number is growing largely due to diabetes. The 50,000 amputees each year who need a new prosthetic knee have two options: learn to use a traditional prosthetic knee or attempt to obtain a high-tech, computer-controlled knee. The first option requires that the amputee learn and execute specific technique(s) to walk safely, while the latter does so automatically but cost $30,000-100,000 and requires physical qualification, limiting the availability. The novel prosthetic knee developed here offers stability automatically, regardless of amputee technique. It prevents buckling while simultaneously allowing the user to walk safely with any leg motions the user is able to generate. Since it requires no electronics or power, it is available to all amputees regardless of ability, and at a fraction of the cost of high-tech knees. Amputees will be able to walk farther with less effort, improving health and quality of life, and easing caregiver burden. Additionally, this design could be adapted for use in orthotic, robotic or exoskeletal systems.This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project proposes to develop and test a novel prosthetic knee. This project will explore the trade space of mechanical and analytical capabilities. This project will validate intuitive movement and universal stability for above-knee amputees through its innovative swing- and stance-phase functionality. This work will advance the knowledge of prosthetics, rehabilitation and bipedal locomotion.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.