Active plantar-flexion above-knee prosthesis: concept and preliminary design

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Prosthetics and Orthotics
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Current lower limb prostheses lack the muscular function for adequate energy provision during ambulation.
• High energy demands of lower limb prostheses necessitate bulky external power sources, limiting practicality.
• Self-energized mechanisms offer a viable solution to power prosthetic devices.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an above-knee prosthesis with active plantar-flexion capability.
• To address the energy deficit in prosthetic lower limbs using a self-energized system.
• To improve the ambulatory mechanism by restoring natural ankle function.

Main Methods:

• Design of a self-energized system for prosthetic lower limbs.
• Integration of energy accumulation from passive knee and ankle joint movements.
• Storage of captured energy for active ankle plantar-flexion.

Main Results:

• The developed system accumulates energy during passive joint motion.
• Stored energy is utilized for active plantar-flexion at the ankle.
• This approach bypasses the need for heavy external power sources.

Conclusions:

• Self-energized systems are a promising alternative for powering lower limb prostheses.
• Active plantar-flexion in above-knee prostheses can be achieved through stored joint energy.
• This technology enhances prosthetic functionality by mimicking natural gait energy patterns.