A dramatic resurgence of interest into the design of external artificial limb supports is underway at TWI.
Orthoses, as they are known, contribute several benefits to the disabled including full stabilisation of paralysed limbs and weight bearing to relieve existing loads. But to date advances in design have been based on empiricaliteration.
This trial and error approach could soon be a thing of the past following this recent work within a Framework 5 European project into the analysis of forces transmitted during the complex ambulatory process we know as walking.
The most recent work set out to devise a means of monitoring axial loads and moments on leg orthoses without interfering with the patient's walking ability.
The main objective was to publish this data in a form which future designers could readily use and also to promote effective International Standards based on the data.
The force analysis involved categorising the orthosis into generic types; ankle-foot, knee-ankle-foot and hip-knee-ankle-foot.
Initially the results of this work were made available to small and medium size enterprises specifically involved in orthosis manufacture. However, to satisfy wider social objectives of dissemination, public access has also been setup. Consequently the median maximum force and moment data for all patients using each generic type of orthosis will be permanently accessible on the following website:
http://www.ncl.ac.uk/crest/ORLOAD/
To learn more about TWI's work on improving patient mobility using lower limb orthosis contact Paul Burling.
E-mail: paul.burling@twi.co.uk
