Engineering and Computer Science Faculty Publications

Speciknee: an Engineering Software Tool for Design of Simple Fourbar Prosthesis Joints for Above-knee Amputees

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

7-2014

Journal Title

Proceedings of the ASME 2014 International Design Engineering Technical Conferences & Computers and Information in Engineering Conference

Abstract

This paper presents the vector analysis used to develop an educational computer design tool which could enable prosthetists and mechanical designers to tailor the motion of low-cost, four-bar prosthetic knees to the sizes and needs of individual amputees. In designing a prosthetic knee joint, it is important to control the position of the lower leg in three angles of flexion and to control its center of rotation in the standing position. In 2010 this problem was analyzed using vector methods, and an algorithm was written which produced curves displaying pivot locations which solve the problem exactly. Since then, a software tool called Speciknee has been developed by building on the core vector computational method and adding a user-friendly operator interface through which a designer could input individual patient needs, select pivot points along the set of curves where prosthetic joint pivots could be placed, and animate the mechanism.

Keywords

Speciknee, prosthetics, amputees

Comments

Paper No. DETC2014-34015

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