A hip disarticulation prostheses test system to simulate gait for prostheses evaluation.

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Technology
• Prosthetics and Orthotics

Background:

• Limited amputee participants hinder clinical trials for hip prostheses development.
• This restricts the efficiency and safety of intelligent prostheses development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a hip disarticulation prostheses test system (HDPTS).
• To supplement amputee testing for hip disarticulation prosthesis (HDP) evaluation.
• To enhance prosthesis evaluation safety and development efficiency.

Main Methods:

• Normal gait hip trajectory data was captured and replicated using a manipulator's joint angles.
• Hip and knee joint angles of an HDP were recorded during walking on both an amputee and the HDPTS.
• Root Mean Square Error (RMSE) was calculated to compare expected vs. planned trajectories and joint angles between the two testing methods.

Main Results:

• The HDPTS demonstrated high accuracy in hip trajectory reproduction (RMSE < 1.20 mm, < 0.19%).
• Joint angle deviations between amputee and HDPTS tests were minimal: 2.18° (1.8%) for the hip and 3.13° (5.92%) for the knee.
• These results validate the HDPTS's feasibility and accuracy for prosthesis evaluation.

Conclusions:

• The HDPTS is accurate for hip trajectory reproduction and effective for gait simulation in prosthesis evaluation.
• It serves as a valuable supplement to traditional amputee testing for prosthesis design.
• The system promises to improve the safety and efficiency of prosthesis development and testing.