Thesis
Biomechanical evaluation and comparison of microprocessor and mechanical prosthetic knee mechanisms
- Creator
- Rights statement
- Awarding institution
- University of Strathclyde
- Date of award
- 2014
- Thesis identifier
- T14384
- Person Identifier (Local)
- 200983935
- Qualification Level
- Qualification Name
- Department, School or Faculty
- Abstract
- For the lower limb amputee, one of the principal aims of rehabilitation is to allow them to maximise their functional ability with the prosthesis, the first step of which is the selection of an appropriate foot, knee and socket. As the histories of all individuals who have suffered a lower limb amputation differ, knee and foot components are now designed and manufactured by a number of leading manufacturers, such as Otto-Bock, Össur and Blatchfords. Of all the lower limb prosthetic components now produced by such leading manufacturers, it is claimed that those that incorporate an embedded system will help facilitate a more natural gait.It was Blatchfords who first revolutionised lower limb technology with the commercial release, in 1991, of the intelligent prostheses (IP), which incorporated a microprocessor that controlled the swing phase of gait. There has since been further development of microprocessor controlled prosthetic knees (MCPKs), and they now assist the user during swing and stance as well. Considering the high relative cost, there has been debate about the efficacy of MCPKs compared to non-microprocessor controlled knees (non-MCPKs). Despite the well-documented, positive feedback from MCPK user trials, there is little scientific evidence quantifying why the prosthetic user generally prefers the MCPK compared to the non-MCPK.Therefore, the objective of this investigation was to quantify the benefits of MCPKs and, in doing so, to establish the user group that may benefit most from this class of knee. In pursuance of this aim, six trans-femoral prosthetic users were recruited, all of whom were capable of outdoor community ambulation, though their abilities did vary; they could be described as either K2 (restricted outdoor) or K3 (unrestricted outdoor) ambulators according to Medicare Functional Classification Level (MFCL). The participants were asked to ambulate in two crossover groups in an indoor laboratory environment while wearing, an MCPK (Blatchfords Orion) and a non-MCPK (Otto Bock 3R80), which were incorporated into their prosthesis during level, ramp, and stair ambulation activities. The kinetics of motion were captured using force plates, and kinematics using infrared cameras.The results of this investigation suggest that for ambulation beyond level walking, the restricted, rather than the unrestricted, outdoor community ambulator would benefit most from the MCPK. The outcomes indicated an improved involuntary response by the MCPK, and that the MCPK offered improved voluntary control. Despite the improved involuntary response and voluntary control during the level and ramp activities, the stair activities did not highlight that the MCPK offered such advantages. Furthermore, the outcomes of this study have shown that it is possible to use simple tests in the clinical environment to determine whether the voluntary or involuntary control can be considered as having improved through the use of the MCPK, and these include indoor ramp ascent and descent activities, and recording the ground reaction force during level walking.
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- DOI
- Embargo Note
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