Conception, design and development of a low-cost intelligent prosthesis for one-sided transfemoral amputees

Abstract

Introduction: Modern transfemoral knee prostheses are designed to offer comfort and self-confidence to amputees. These prostheses are mainly based upon either a passive concept, with a damping system, or an active computational intelligent design to control knee motion during the swing phase. In Brazil, most lower extremity amputees are unable to afford modern prostheses due to their high cost. In this work, we present the conception, design and development of a low-cost intelligent prosthesis for one-sided transfemoral amputees. Methods: The concept of the prosthesis is based on a control system with sensors for loads, which are installed on the amputee's preserved leg and used as a mirror for the movement of the prosthesis. Mechanical strength analysis, using the Finite Element Method, electromechanical tests for the sensors and actuators and verification of data acquisition, signal conditioning and data transferring to the knee prosthesis were performed. Results:The laboratory tests performed showed the feasibility of the proposed design. The electromechanical concept that was used enabled a controlled activation of the knee prosthesis by the two load cells located on the shoe sole of the preserved leg. Conclusions: The electromechanical design concept and the resulting knee prosthesis show promising results concerning prosthesis activation during walking tests, thereby showing the feasibility of a reduced manufacturing cost compared to the modern prostheses available on the market.

Design an intelligent hybrid position/force control for above knee prosthesis based on adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system

“…The quantity of amputees, because of war, ailment, and mishaps is expanding. Patients with gone through removal medical procedure beneath knee have a knee joint, therefore strolling with a prosthesis is generally simple [1], [2]. In any case, with femoral amputees, an unnatural step (gait) happens when an inactive prosthesis is worn.…”