Volitional Control of a Powered Prosthetic Ankle

• Other Authors: Fronczyk, Adam Jerald (Author)
• Format: Dissertation
• Language: English
• Published: 2012
• Subjects: Biomechanics; Biomedical engineering
• Online Access: http://hdl.handle.net/2286/R.I.15112

abstract: Approximately 1.7 million people in the United States are living with limb loss and are in need of more sophisticated devices that better mimic human function. In the Human Machine Integration Laboratory, a powered, transtibial prosthetic ankle was designed and build that allows a person to regain ankle function with improved ankle kinematics and kinetics. The ankle allows a person to walk normally and up and down stairs, but volitional control is still an issue. This research tackled the problem of giving the user more control over the prosthetic ankle using a force/torque circuit. When the user presses against a force/torque sensor located inside the socket the prosthetic foot plantar flexes or moves downward. This will help the user add additional push-off force when walking up slopes or stairs. It also gives the user a sense of control over the device. === Dissertation/Thesis === M.S. Bioengineering 2012