Knee joint prototype based on cam mechanism - design and video analysis.

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Mechanical Engineering
• Medical Device Design

Background:

• Accurate replication of human knee joint motion is crucial for biomechanical analysis and rehabilitation.
• Existing mechanisms may lack the precision or adaptability required for complex sagittal plane movements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and develop a novel mechanism capable of precisely reproducing the complex sagittal plane motion of a human knee joint.
• To create an adaptable and adjustable mechanism for personalized biomechanical studies.

Main Methods:

• Modeling the desired knee motion using cam elements based on the instantaneous center of rotation.
• Utilizing 3D printing for the fabrication of the mechanism's CAD model and prototype.
• Employing video analysis in Matlab with color marker tracking to measure the mechanism's movement.

Main Results:

• Successful design and construction of a 3D-printed mechanism capable of complex knee motion replication.
• Demonstrated adaptability through interchangeable cam profiles for personalized adjustments.
• Validated mechanism movement through quantitative video analysis.

Conclusions:

• The developed mechanism provides an accurate and adjustable platform for studying human knee biomechanics.
• 3D printing facilitates the creation of customized components for personalized kinematic replication.
• This approach offers a valuable tool for research and potentially for therapeutic applications.