Powered AFO for Achilles tendon rupture

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Technology
• Orthotics and Prosthetics

Background:

• Ruptured Achilles tendon injuries typically require lengthy immobilization, significantly impairing daily activities and mobility.
• Traditional conservative treatments for Achilles tendon injuries often involve prolonged periods with a motionless ankle, leading to reduced quality of life.
• Limited mobility and reliance on assistive devices like crutches hinder patients' ability to perform essential daily tasks.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel electric powered ankle foot orthosis (AFO) designed to improve activities of daily living (ADL) for individuals with Achilles tendon ruptures.
• To investigate the efficacy of a powered AFO in restoring ambulatory function and facilitating stair negotiation with a fixed ankle joint.
• To present a lightweight, battery-driven AFO prototype utilizing an electric actuator for enhanced patient mobility.

Main Methods:

• Design and construction of a prototype electric powered ankle foot orthosis (AFO) featuring an integrated electric actuator in the sole.
• The actuator employs Nd magnets and electromagnets, designed to be lightweight and battery-powered for practical use.
• Experimental evaluation of the AFO's ability to facilitate walking and stair ascent/descent in patients with a fixed ankle joint.

Main Results:

• The electric powered AFO successfully enabled patients to walk with a fixed ankle joint, overcoming limitations imposed by traditional immobilization.
• Experimental trials demonstrated that the AFO facilitates stair negotiation (ascending and descending), a task often challenging with a motionless ankle.
• The lightweight, battery-driven design of the actuator proved effective in switching between upright and stepped forward postures, aiding ambulation.

Conclusions:

• The proposed electric powered ankle foot orthosis (AFO) offers a promising solution for improving mobility and daily activities in patients recovering from Achilles tendon ruptures.
• This powered AFO technology allows for ambulation and stair use with a fixed ankle, potentially reducing recovery time and reliance on crutches.
• The successful experimental outcomes highlight the potential of electric AFOs in enhancing functional recovery and patient independence during rehabilitation.