The design and testing of a composite lower limb prosthesis.
In unilateral lower limb prosthetic gait, the intact limb, together with the hip on the affected side, strive to compensate for the loss of the missing below-knee musculature. The resultant abnormal gait patterns can eventually lead to pathologies of the spine and other joints. The aim of this research was to design a trans-tibial dynamic elastic response (DER) prosthesis which could simulate the power generation and absorption properties of an intact foot and shank segments. A carbon fibre sickle-shaped prosthesis was developed in which the strain energy from the early part of the stride was stored, and was released again at the point of take-off, to simulate the action of the missing musculature. Stress analysis techniques were used in the design of the prosthesis, for the purposes of computing and maximizing the strain energy of the elements. A force transducer was designed into the prosthesis to verify the analysis. Video motion analyses of the prosthesis were carried out in order to determine the most appropriate shape that would reduce gait asymmetries. The research shows that biomechanical techniques, together with good engineering design and the selection of modern materials, can lead to a prosthesis which approaches the function of a natural foot.