• Physical Therapy Korea
• /
• v.8 no.3
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2001

The purpose of this study was to compare the static pressure, dynamic pressure, dynamic pressure-time integral, relative impulse, and contact time between the sound lower limb and amputated lower limb in trans-tibial amputee subjects using Parotec system. Seventeen trans-tibial amputee subjects wearing endoskeletal trans-tibial prosthesis voluntarily participated in this study. The results were as follows: 1) In static standing condition, there were significantly higher static pressure in sound lower limb insole sensor of 10, 14, 15, 18, 19, 23, and 24 and in amputated lower limb insole sensor of 9, 12, and 16 (p<.05). 2) In dynamic gait condition, there were significantly higher dynamic pressure in sound lower limb insole sensor of 2, 18, 22, 23, and 24 and in amputated lower limb insole sensor of 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, and 16 (p<.05). 3) In dynamic gait condition, there were significantly higher pressure-time integral in sound lower limb insole sensor of 2, 4, 18, 19, 20, 21, 23, and 24 and in amputated lower limb insole sensor of 5, 11, 12, and 15 (p<.05). 4) In dynamic gait condition, there were significantly higher relative impulse in sound lower limb insole sensor of 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, and 24 and in amputated lower limb insole sensor of 5, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 15 (p<.05). 5) In dynamic gait condition, there was significantly higher percentage of contact time in push off phase of sound lower limb and in support phase of amputated lower limb (p<.05). These results suggest that trans-tibial amputee subjects had characteristics of shortened push off phase due to unutilized forefoot and of lengthened support phase with higher pressure in the midfoot.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.131-142
• /
• 2005

This study was investigated the stability of the AK amputee gait through analysing the variability on kinematic variables between the sound leg and the prosthetic limb. The one male, AK amputee who could walk for himself with his prosthetic limb was participated in this study. Six cameras of the MCU 240 and the QTM(Qualisys Track Manager) software were used for data collecting in this study. The relative angle of both segments was the difference between the absolute angle of the distal segment and the absolute angle of the proximal segment. The coupling angles between the prosthetic limb and the sound leg were caculated on the thigh Flexion/Extension in relative to the shank Flexion/Extension and the shank Flexion/Extension n relative to the foot Flexion/Extension. In order to evaluate the variability of segment and joint angle, C.V. was used, and to evaluate the variability for coupling angles, the Relative motion calculated by vector coding method of the continuous methods was used. As stated, the gait pattern of the prosthetic limb was almost similar gait pattern of the sound leg, but the prosthetic limb showed that the gait pattern of the sound leg and the prosthetic limb were not stable against the sound leg.

• The Journal of Korea Robotics Society
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.159-168
• /
• 2024

Lower limb amputees are increasing due to various reasons. It is difficult for lower limb amputees to walk without an assistive device such as a prosthetic leg. In this paper, an electronically controlled knee-type prosthetic leg with a 4-bar linkage structure for lower limb amputees was developed. The knee-type prosthetic leg has a 4-bar linkage structure and assists walking by using an integrated drive module. The torque is 90 Nm, the rotation speed is up to 120 deg, and it weight 1.9 kg, so it is lighter than a commercial prosthetic leg, so it can be used for a long time because there is less fatigue when walking. An integrated control board was developed by applying various sensors and microprocessor. The motor drive and encoder are built into the integrated drive module. The integrated control board and integrated drive module communicate using CAN. When a lower limb amputee wears a knee-type prosthetic leg and walks, it shows a shape similar to the swing phase graph of a normal people, and it is possible to walk naturally while walking.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.33-41
• /
• 2005

The purpose of this report was to describe the gait pattern and parameters of the complicated bilateral amputee with right transtibial and left tarsometatarsal amputation. Using a Vicon 370 three dimensional gait analysis system, the gait analysis was performed at pre and post-test. Treadmill Training with 15 degree, incline was practiced for 8weeks, 3times per week. In linear parameters, the Velocity, Stride length and Single limb support were increased than pre-test. but Cadence and Double limb support were less post-test than pre-test. In kinematics, the maximal pelvic tilt angle showed right side $21.87^{\circ}$, left side $20.67^{\circ}$ at pre-swing phase, and decreased as compared with pre-test. Especially, the inimal hip flexion angle showed right side $-6.83^{\circ}$, left side $1.52^{\circ}$ at pre-swing phase and increased as compared with pre-test. The maximal knee flexion angle disclosed right side $2.66^{\circ}$, left side $21.71^{\circ}$ at stance phase, and decreased as compared with pre-test. In kinetics, the hip extension moment on initial contact stage was right side 0.938NM/Kg, left side 0.09NM/Kg, which was impaired compared with normal person.

• Korean Journal of Applied Biomechanics
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.77-83
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this study was to compare kinematic variables and stiffnesses of ankle joints between normal person and transfemoral amputee gait in order to develop or fit prosthetic leg. Twenty subjects (ten normal persons and ten transfemoral amputees) participated in this experiment, and walked three trials at a self-selected pace. The gait motions were captured with Vicon system and variables were calculated with Visual-3D. The velocity, stride length, stride width, cycle time, double limb support time and right swing time of gaits were statistically significant. Because coefficients of variability of normal persons on velocity, double limb support time and swing time were greater than transfemoral amputees, normal persons controlled these gait variables effectively. The stiffnesses of ankle joints were not statistically significant, but patterns of stiffnesses of ankle joints during three rockers were absolutely different. The negative correlations between stiffnesses of ankle joints and cycle time and swing time were presented. These differences suggest that developing and fitting prosthetic leg were demanded. Further studies should develop fitting program and simulator of prosthetic leg.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Precision Engineering
• /
• v.29 no.2
• /
• pp.239-244
• /
• 2012

The prevalence of knee osteoarthritis was higher people with lower limb amputation. This was identified that transfemoral amputees have a greater external knee adduction moment than ablebodied subjects by biomechanical studies. Therefore, they need rehabilitative intervention for prevention and reduction of knee osteoarthritis. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of lateral wedge insole used in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. This study was participated in fourteen unilateral transfemoral amputees and we were analyzed the difference gait variables between without lateral wedge insole and with $5^{\circ}$ and $10^{\circ}$ lateral wedge insole during gait. Our results showed that step length ratio was more symmetrical and, hip adduction and ankle inversion angle were more close to normal value, and knee adduction moment was decreased as the wedge angle increases. We proposed that these data would be utilized conservative treatment of knee osteoarthritis in lower limb amputees.

• Journal of rehabilitation welfare engineering & assistive technology
• /
• v.10 no.4
• /
• pp.305-313
• /
• 2016

Movements of the lower limb are important for normal walking and smooth oscillation of the center of gravity. The ankle rotations such as dorsi-flexion, plantar-flexion, inversion and eversion allows the foot to accommodate to ground during level ground walking. Current below knee (B/K) prostheses are used for replacing amputated ankle, and make it possible for amputees to walk again. However, most of amputees with B/K prostheses often experience a loss of terrain adaptability as well as stability because of limited ankle rotation. This study is focused on the development of multi-rotational prosthetic foot for lower limb amputee. Our prosthesis is possible for amputees to easily walk in level ground by rotating ankle joint in sagittal plane and adapt to the abnormal terrain with ankle rotation in coronal plane. The resistance of ankle joint in the direction of dorsi/plantar-flexion can be manually regulated by hydraulic damper with controllable nozzle. Furthermore, double layered rubber induce the prosthesis adapt to irregular ground by tilting itself in direction of eversion and inversion. The experimental results highlights the potential that our prosthesis induce a normal gait for below knee amputee.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Precision Engineering Conference
• /
• 2002.10a
• /
• pp.1070-1073
• /
• 2002

The biomechanical interaction between the stump and the prosthetic socket is critically important to achieve close-to-normal ambulation. Many investigators suggested that the pressure changes during gait of transfemoral amputees are closely related to the prosthetic alignment, the socket shape, the stump size, and the residual muscle activity. The effects of the prosthetic alignment, the socket shape, and the stump size on the interface pressure were investigated previously. However, there is no report how the residual muscle activities in the transfemoral stump affect the socket interface pressure characteristics during gait. Since designs of socket fur lower limb amputees need to consider the socket interface pressure characteristics, the interface pressure patterns by the residual muscle activities during gait should be investigated. In this study, myoelectric signals (MES) and socket interface pressure in residual limb of transfemoral amputees were measured during the stance and swing phases of gait. For the purpose, specially designed quadrilateral sockets that MES electrodes could be instrumented were fabricated. A total of two transfemoral amputees were participated in the experiments. The measured temporal MES amplitude and interface pressure in knee flexor (biceps femoris) and extensor (rectus femoris) had significant correlations (P ＜ 0.05). Based on the test results, It was suggested that the residual muscle activity of transfemoral amputees stump is an important factor affecting socket pressure changes during walk.

• Journal of the Institute of Convergence Signal Processing
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.77-85
• /
• 2024

The suspension device that connects the prosthetic leg and the residual limb allows lower limb amputees to wear prosthetic limbs, and is the most sensitive part when using prosthetic limbs as it is always in contact with the residual limb not only while walking but also in everyday life. In this paper, using the principles of attraction and repulsion of permanent magnets, we developed a magnetic lock suspension device that can fix the amputees and prosthetic legs of lower limb amputees by changing the polarity of the magnet. The operation method of the magnetic lock is that when neodymium magnets are placed on the left and right as NNSS based on a non-magnetic brass core, the magnetic force flows outward beyond the brass core using the adsorption member as a medium to generate bonding force. When rotated 90 degrees, the magnet moves to NSNS. The principle is that as the position moves, the magnetic force flows inward and cancels out.Based on this, we conducted a bonding test using tensile strength and a short-term comparative evaluation of the prosthesis with the shuttle lock suspension system, which was a comparison group, to verify reliability and evaluate satisfaction with the prototype. As a result, the tensile strength exceeding the appropriate bonding strength was confirmed, and the magnetic lock showed higher satisfaction than the shuttle lock. In the future, we plan to conduct long-term ADL clinical trials for commercialization and develop a product that can be distributed to actual amputees.

• Fashion & Textile Research Journal
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.621-632
• /
• 2009

The purpose of this study was to analyze the physical characteristic of the wheelchair users by directly measuring the disabled men who use a wheelchair and to classify body types. The subjects were 178 male wheelchair users 20-69 years range of age. The results of this study were as follows. The cause of disability was classified into four groups; Poliomyelitis(P), Spinal Cord Injury(S), Cerebral Palsy(C), Amputee(A). There was a remarkable difference in the physical characteristic of the wheelchair users due to their cause of disability. A have greater values in all the dimensions. P have the largest drop values and smaller values in the lower body dimensions. S have greater values in the height of upper body trunk, back interscye length, and chest circumference, whereas smaller values in waist front length and thigh circumference. C have smaller values in most body dimensions except circumference of lower limb. By the factor analysis on the anthropometric data came out the result to be eight factors. The result of cluster analysis using factor scores shows the body types of wheelchair users can be divided into four body types; PY, RBB, TBP, RA. PY type is short and has the largest drop values, whereas RBB type tends to have the smallest drop values. TBP type is tall and the torso tends to be larger than those of the other types. RA type has smaller values in front body dimensions and moderate values in other dimensions. The diversity in body types should be considered among the wheelchair users.