Evaluation of a prosthetic swing-phase controller with electrical power generation.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Technology
• Prosthetics

Background:

• Microprocessor-controlled prostheses offer advanced functionality but often require manual battery recharging, limiting user utility.
• Current prosthetic systems necessitate frequent battery charging, posing a practical challenge for active individuals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and evaluate a novel self-energizing system for microprocessor-based prostheses.
• To integrate an electromechanical generator for continuous battery recharging and real-time swing-phase damping.

Main Methods:

• A prototype electromechanical generator system was developed.
• The system was evaluated in three participants with above-knee amputations under varying damping conditions and gait speeds.
• Gait and power generation were assessed using temporal, kinematic, and kinetic parameters.

Main Results:

• Acceptable gait parameters, including cadence and knee angle symmetry, were achieved with participant-specific damping.
• The system generated between 0.57 and 1.57 W of electrical power across subjects and speeds.
• The electromechanical generator effectively provided swing-phase control and power generation.

Conclusions:

• The developed technology shows promise for prosthetic swing-phase control.
• This self-energizing system has the potential to alleviate the need for manual charging of microprocessor-based prostheses.