Advisor Information
Sara Myers
Presentation Type
Poster
Start Date
1-3-2019 12:30 PM
End Date
1-3-2019 1:45 PM
Abstract
The ankle joint is one of the most important joints during walking. If the muscles surrounding the ankle are weak, there are reductions in the ability to generate appropriate torques and powers at the ankle. This leads to slower self-selected walking speeds, which correlate with poor physical functioning, more disabilities, increased hospitalization visits and costs, and even mortality. Because of this, many orthotic and exoskeletal devices have been created to restore proper ankle function by promoting ankle plantar flexion. Utilizing 3D printing and an extension spring, we created an easily accessible, reproducible, and modifiable exoskeleton that has the potential to facilitate forward propulsion in pathological populations. First, we need to establish how the exoskeleton impacts gait of healthy individuals.
Thus, this study will assess the effects of a custom lower-leg exoskeleton on the energetic cost of walking, lower-limb movement and lower-limb forces during different assistance settings. We hypothesize that walking with the exoskeleton while the spring is engaged will result in a reduced biological ankle torque contribution during stance, insignificantly affect ankle angle throughout gait, and ultimately decrease the energetic cost of walking.
Results of this study will show how the lower-leg exoskeleton effects lower-limb joint angles, torques, and the metabolic cost of walking. If the exoskeleton is able to decrease the metabolic cost of walking or the required biological torque contribution, the device may be beneficial to pathological populations who exhibit ankle weakness.
Effects of a Passive Dynamic Lower-Leg Exoskeleton during Walking
The ankle joint is one of the most important joints during walking. If the muscles surrounding the ankle are weak, there are reductions in the ability to generate appropriate torques and powers at the ankle. This leads to slower self-selected walking speeds, which correlate with poor physical functioning, more disabilities, increased hospitalization visits and costs, and even mortality. Because of this, many orthotic and exoskeletal devices have been created to restore proper ankle function by promoting ankle plantar flexion. Utilizing 3D printing and an extension spring, we created an easily accessible, reproducible, and modifiable exoskeleton that has the potential to facilitate forward propulsion in pathological populations. First, we need to establish how the exoskeleton impacts gait of healthy individuals.
Thus, this study will assess the effects of a custom lower-leg exoskeleton on the energetic cost of walking, lower-limb movement and lower-limb forces during different assistance settings. We hypothesize that walking with the exoskeleton while the spring is engaged will result in a reduced biological ankle torque contribution during stance, insignificantly affect ankle angle throughout gait, and ultimately decrease the energetic cost of walking.
Results of this study will show how the lower-leg exoskeleton effects lower-limb joint angles, torques, and the metabolic cost of walking. If the exoskeleton is able to decrease the metabolic cost of walking or the required biological torque contribution, the device may be beneficial to pathological populations who exhibit ankle weakness.