The design and testing of a composite lower limb prosthesis

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Biomechanics
• Prosthetics

Background:

• Unilateral lower limb amputation leads to abnormal gait patterns.
• Compensatory mechanisms in the intact limb and hip can cause spinal and joint pathologies.
• Existing prostheses often fail to fully restore natural gait function.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design a trans-tibial dynamic elastic response (DER) prosthesis.
• To simulate the power generation and absorption of intact foot and shank segments.
• To reduce gait asymmetries in lower limb prosthetic users.

Main Methods:

• Developed a carbon fibre sickle-shaped prosthesis.
• Utilized stress analysis to maximize strain energy storage and release.
• Incorporated a force transducer for analysis verification.
• Performed video motion analyses to optimize prosthesis shape.

Main Results:

• The prosthesis successfully stored and released strain energy during the gait cycle.
• Design modifications based on motion analysis reduced gait asymmetries.
• The developed prosthesis demonstrated potential to approximate natural foot function.

Conclusions:

• Biomechanical principles and advanced engineering can create effective lower limb prostheses.
• The dynamic elastic response (DER) prosthesis offers a promising approach to restoring natural gait.
• This technology can mitigate secondary pathologies associated with prosthetic use.