Dataset Information

A biomechanical assessment of hydraulic ankle-foot devices with and without micro-processor control during slope ambulation in trans-femoral amputees.

ABSTRACT: Slope ambulation is a challenge for trans-femoral amputees due to a relative lack of knee function. The assessment of prosthetic ankles on slopes is required for supporting the design, optimisation, and selection of prostheses. This study assessed two hydraulic ankle-foot devices (one of the hydraulic ankles is controlled by a micro-processor that allows real-time adjustment in ankle resistance and range of motion) used by trans-femoral amputees in ascending and descending a 5-degree slope walking, against a rigid ankle-foot device. Five experienced and active unilateral trans-femoral amputees performed ascending and descending slope tests with their usual prosthetic knee and socket fitted with a rigid ankle-foot, a hydraulic ankle-foot without a micro-processor, and a hydraulic ankle-foot with a micro-processor optimised for ascending and descending slopes. Peak values in hip, knee and ankle joint angles and moments were collected and the normalcy Trend Symmetry Index of the prosthetic ankle moments (as an indication of bio-mimicry) were calculated and assessment. Particular benefits of the hydraulic ankle-foot devices were better bio-mimicry of ankle resistance moment, greater range of motion, and improved passive prosthetic knee stability according to the greater mid-stance external knee extensor moment (especially in descending slope) compared to the rigid design. The micro-processor controlled device demonstrated optimised ankle angle and moment patterns for ascending and descending slope respectively, and was found to potentially further improve the ankle moment bio-minicry and prosthetic knee stability compared to the hydraulic device without a micro-processor. However the difference between the micro-processor controlled device and the one without a micro-processor does not reach a statistically significant level.

SUBMITTER: Bai X

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6173401 | biostudies-literature | 2018

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Publications

A biomechanical assessment of hydraulic ankle-foot devices with and without micro-processor control during slope ambulation in trans-femoral amputees.

Bai Xuefei X Ewins David D Crocombe Andrew David AD Xu Wei W

PloS one 20181005 10

Slope ambulation is a challenge for trans-femoral amputees due to a relative lack of knee function. The assessment of prosthetic ankles on slopes is required for supporting the design, optimisation, and selection of prostheses. This study assessed two hydraulic ankle-foot devices (one of the hydraulic ankles is controlled by a micro-processor that allows real-time adjustment in ankle resistance and range of motion) used by trans-femoral amputees in ascending and descending a 5-degree slope walki ...[more]

PMID: 30289921

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Project description:BackgroundPrevious research has shown that use of a dynamic-response prosthetic foot (DRF) that incorporates a small passive hydraulic ankle device (hyA-F), provides certain biomechanical benefits over using a DRF that has no ankle mechanism (rigA-F). This study investigated whether use of a hyA-F in unilateral trans-tibial amputees (UTA) additionally provides metabolic energy expenditure savings and increases the symmetry in walking kinematics, compared to rigA-F.MethodsNine active UTA completed treadmill walking trials at zero gradient (at 0.8, 1.0, 1.2, 1.4, and 1.6 of customary walking speed) and for customary walking speed only, at two angles of decline (5° and 10°). The metabolic cost of locomotion was determined using respirometry. To gain insights into the source of any metabolic savings, 3D motion capture was used to determine segment kinematics, allowing body centre of mass dynamics (BCoM), differences in inter-limb symmetry and potential for energy recovery through pendulum-like motion to be quantified for each foot type.ResultsDuring both level and decline walking, use of a hyA-F compared to rigA-F significantly reduced the total mechanical work and increased the interchange between the mechanical energies of the BCoM (recovery index), leading to a significant reduction in the metabolic energy cost of locomotion, and hence an associated increase in locomotor efficiency (p < 0.001). It also increased inter-limb symmetry (medio-lateral and progression axes, particularly when walking on a 10° decline), highlighting the improvements in gait were related to a lessening of the kinematic compensations evident when using the rigA-F.ConclusionsFindings suggest that use of a DRF that incorporates a small passive hydraulic ankle device will deliver improvements in metabolic energy expenditure and kinematics and thus should provide clinically meaningful benefits to UTAs' everyday locomotion, particularly for those who are able to walk at a range of speeds and over different terrains.

Dataset Information

A biomechanical assessment of hydraulic ankle-foot devices with and without micro-processor control during slope ambulation in trans-femoral amputees.

Publications

A biomechanical assessment of hydraulic ankle-foot devices with and without micro-processor control during slope ambulation in trans-femoral amputees.

Similar Datasets

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