A Robotic Test Rig for Performance Assessment of Prosthetic Joints

Appolinaire Etoundi, Alexander Dobner, Subham Agrawal, Chathura L. Semasinghe, Ioannis Georgilas, Aghil Jafari

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

5 Citations (SciVal)

Abstract

Movement within the human body is made possible by joints connecting two or more elements of the musculoskeletal system. Losing one or more of these connections can seriously limit mobility, which in turn can lead to depression and other mental issues. This is particularly pertinent due to a dramatic increase in the number of lower limb amputations resulting from trauma and diseases such as diabetes. The ideal prostheses should re-establish the functions and movement of the missing body part of the patient. As a result, the prosthetic solution has to be tested stringently to ensure effective and reliable usage. This paper elaborates on the development, features, and suitability of a testing rig that can evaluate the performance of prosthetic and robotic joints via cyclic dynamic loading on their complex movements. To establish the rig’s validity, the knee joint was chosen as it provides both compound support and movement, making it one of the major joints within the human body, and an excellent subject to ensure the quality of the prosthesis. Within the rig system, a motorised lead-screw simulates the actuation provided by the hamstring-quadricep antagonist muscle pair and the flexion experienced by the joint. Loads and position are monitored by a load cell and proximity sensors respectively, ensuring the dynamics conform with the geometric model and gait analysis. Background: Robotics, Prosthetics, Mechatronics, Assisted Living. Methods: Gait Analysis, Computer Aided Design, Geometry Models. Conclusion: Modular Device, Streamlining Rehabilitation.

Original languageEnglish
Article number613579
JournalFrontiers in Robotics and AI
Volume8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 7 Mar 2022

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The work was also supported by the Applied Biomechanics Suite (University of Bath).

Funding Information:
The authors acknowledge the support of the UK Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) under grant reference EP/P022588/1.

Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2022 Etoundi, Dobner, Agrawal, Semasinghe, Georgilas and Jafari.

Keywords

  • knee joint
  • prosthesis
  • prosthetics
  • robotic device
  • robotic joint
  • test rig design
  • velocity control

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Computer Science Applications
  • Artificial Intelligence

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