Design, Simulation and Functional Testing of a Novel Ankle Exoskeleton with 3DOFs

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Technology
• Orthotics and Prosthetics

Background:

• Ankle joint injuries and diseases significantly impair mobility.
• Existing rehabilitation methods may lack targeted support for restoring ankle function.
• A need exists for advanced assistive devices to aid ankle rehabilitation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To design and model a novel exoskeleton for ankle joint rehabilitation.
• To develop a device with three degrees of freedom (3 DOFs) to restore joint mobility.
• To assess the effectiveness and user comfort of the developed exoskeleton.

Main Methods:

• Functional requirements analysis based on user needs.
• Conceptual model development for the exoskeleton.
• Prototype design utilizing additive manufacturing technologies.
• Virtual testing under simulated real-world conditions.

Main Results:

• A functional prototype of the 3-DOF ankle exoskeleton was successfully designed.
• Virtual testing confirmed the device's effectiveness in rehabilitation scenarios.
• The prototype demonstrated comfort for potential users.
• The study highlights the potential of this exoskeleton for clinical application.

Conclusions:

• The developed 3-DOF ankle exoskeleton presents a promising solution for rehabilitation.
• Additive manufacturing enables efficient prototype development for assistive devices.
• Virtual testing is a valuable tool for validating rehabilitation exoskeleton designs.
• This technology can significantly benefit patients with ankle joint impairments.