Knee-ankle-foot orthosis with powered knee for support in the elderly.

A prototype of a powered knee orthotic device was developed to determine whether fractional external torque and power support to the knee relieves the biomechanical loads and reduces the muscular demand for a subject performing sit-to-stand movements. With this demonstrator, consisting of the subsystems actuation, kinematics, sensors, and control, all relevant sensor data can be acquired and full control is maintained over actuator parameters. A series-elastic actuator based on a direct current motor provides up to 30 Nm torque to the knee via a hinge joint with an additional sliding degree of freedom.

Functional effects of a prosthetic torsion adapter in trans-tibial amputees during unplanned spin and step turns.

Background: Shear stress at the stump in trans-tibial amputees induced by turning movements may be reduced with the use of torsion adapters in the prosthesis.

Objective: Monitoring the motion and kinetic effects of a regular torsion adapter in comparison to a rigid placebo in unplanned spin and step turns.

Study Design: Single-blinded placebo-controlled cohort study.