How does ankle power on the prosthetic side influence loading parameters on the sound side during level walking of persons with transfemoral amputation?

Background: Increased ankle power on the prosthetic side seems to decrease biomechanical loading parameters on the sound side. This assumption is based on biomechanical comparisons of different foot constructions. However, such study designs could not show whether the amount of ankle power solely influences the sound side.

Benefits of a microprocessor-controlled prosthetic foot for ascending and descending slopes.

Background: Prosthetic feet are prescribed for persons with a lower-limb amputation to restore lost mobility. However, due to limited adaptability of their ankles and springs, situations like walking on slopes or uneven ground remain challenging. This study investigated to what extent a microprocessor-controlled prosthetic foot (MPF) facilitates walking on slopes.

A Passive Back-Support Exoskeleton for Manual Materials Handling: Reduction of Low Back Loading and Metabolic Effort during Repetitive Lifting.

OCCUPATIONAL APPLICATIONSGlobalization and eCommerce continue to fuel unprecedented growth in the logistics and warehousing markets. Simultaneously, the biggest bottleneck for these industries is their human capital. Where automation and robotic solutions fail to deliver a return on investment, humans frequently take over handling tasks that place harmful loads and strains on the body.

The impact of transfemoral socket adduction on pelvic and trunk stabilization during level walking - A biomechanical study.

Background: It is common practice to align transfemoral prosthetic sockets in adduction, due to the physiologic, adducted femoral alignment in unimpaired legs. An adducted femoral and socket alignment helps tightening hip abductors to stabilize the pelvis and reduce pelvic and trunk related compensatory movements.

Research Question: How do different socket adduction conditions (SAC) of transfemoral sockets affect pelvic and trunk stabilization during level ground walking in the frontal plane?

Methods: Seven persons with transfemoral amputation with medium residual limb length participated in this study.

Comparative biomechanical evaluation of two technologically different microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee joints in safety-relevant daily-life situations.

Safety-relevant gait situations (walking on stairs and slopes, walking backwards, walking with small steps, simulated perturbations of swing phase extension) were investigated in a motion analysis laboratory with six unilateral transfemoral amputees using two different microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee joints (Rheo Knee XC, C-Leg). A randomized crossover design was chosen. The study results imply that the performance and safety potential of a microprocessor-controlled knee joint can be associated with the individual control algorithms and the technological concepts that are implemented to generate motion resistances for controlling flexion and extension movements.

Lower limb amputee gait characteristics on a specifically designed test ramp: Preliminary results of a biomechanical comparison of two prosthetic foot concepts.

Background: For demanding activities in daily life, such as negotiating stairs, ramps and uneven ground, the functionality of conventional prosthetic feet ("Daily Life Feet" - DLF) is often limited. With the introduction of microprocessor-controlled feet (MPF) it was expected that the functional limitations of DLF might be reduced. The purpose of the present study was to investigate biomechanical gait parameters with DLF and MPF when walking on a specifically designed ramp involving abruptly changing inclination angles as a scenario reflecting typical situations related to walking on uneven ground.

Designs and performance of three new microprocessor-controlled knee joints.

A crossover design study with a small group of subjects was used to evaluate the performance of three microprocessor-controlled exoprosthetic knee joints (MPKs): C-Leg 4, Plié 3 and Rheo Knee 3. Given that the mechanical designs and control algorithms of the joints determine the user outcome, the influence of these inherent differences on the functional characteristics was investigated in this study. The knee joints were evaluated during level-ground walking at different velocities in a motion analysis laboratory.

Standing on slopes - how current microprocessor-controlled prosthetic feet support transtibial and transfemoral amputees in an everyday task.

Background: Conventional prosthetic feet like energy storage and return feet provide only a limited range of ankle motion compared to human ones. In order to overcome the poor rotational adaptability, prosthetic manufacturers developed different prosthetic feet with an additional rotational joint and implemented active control in different states. It was the aim of the study to investigate to what extent these commercially available microprocessor-controlled prosthetic feet support a natural posture while standing on inclines and which concept is most beneficial for lower limb amputees.

Designs and performance of microprocessor-controlled knee joints.

In this comparative study, three transfemoral amputee subjects were fitted with four different microprocessor-controlled exoprosthetic knee joints (MPK): C-Leg, Orion, Plié2.0, and Rel-K. In a motion analysis laboratory, objective gait measures were acquired during level walking at different velocities.

Stair ascent with an innovative microprocessor-controlled exoprosthetic knee joint.

Climbing stairs can pose a major challenge for above-knee amputees as a result of compromised motor performance and limitations to prosthetic design. A new, innovative microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee joint, the Genium, incorporates a function that allows an above-knee amputee to climb stairs step over step. To execute this function, a number of different sensors and complex switching algorithms were integrated into the prosthetic knee joint.

Immediate effects of a new microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee joint: a comparative biomechanical evaluation.

Objective: To investigate the immediate biomechanical effects after transition to a new microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee joint.

Design: Intervention cross-over study with repeated measures. Only prosthetic knee joints were changed.

Biomechanical differences between two exoprosthetic hip joint systems during level walking.

Previous studies have shown low end-user acceptance of a hip disarticulation style prosthesis and that the limitations of such prostheses, including poor gait pattern, socket discomfort, weight of the prosthesis, loss of mobility, instability and high energy consumption are a contributing factor. This study was initiated to determine if a new style of prosthetic hip joint could help to overcome some of the limitations concerning the gait pattern. The present study analyzed the gait pattern of six hip disarticulation amputee subjects.

Comparative biomechanical analysis of current microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee joints.

Objective: To investigate and identify functional differences of 4 microprocessor-controlled prosthetic knee joints (C-Leg, Hybrid Knee [also called Energy Knee], Rheo Knee, Adaptive 2).

Design: Tested situations were walking on level ground, on stairs and ramps; additionally, the fall prevention potentials for each design were examined. The measuring technology used included an optoelectronic camera system combined with 2 forceplates as well as a mobile spiroergometric system.