Abstract
Study design:
A feasibility study on the effect of a new reciprocating orthosis on specific gait parameters for use by people with spinal cord injury.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to design and develop a new medial linkage orthosis (MLO) mechanism incorporating a reciprocating motion and to determine its efficacy in improving specific spatiotemporal, kinematic and kinetic parameters while ambulating when worn by healthy subjects. This was achieved via the use of a lower limb paralysis simulator (LLPS).
Methods:
A reciprocating joint with a remote center of motion was designed for use as an MLO. A prototype was fabricated and incorporated into an orthosis and equipped with a saddle to make the reciprocating motion possible. The efficacy of the orthosis was evaluated on four able-bodied healthy subjects who were trained to walk with the MLO attached to the LLPS.
Results:
Mean walking speed, stride length, stride time and cadence was 0.09±0.007 m s−1, 0.42±0.01 m, 4.89±0.45 s and 29.54±4.32 steps min−1, respectively, when healthy subjects walked with the new orthosis. The mean hip joint torque produced was 0.36±0.13 Nm.
Conclusion:
In this study a new MLO was designed and fabricated that provided a reciprocating mechanism using a four-bar mechanism to set the virtual axis of the mechanism in a more proximal position than hinge-type joints. Further investigation is currently underway to assess its effect on gait parameters and energy expenditure in paraplegic patients.
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Acknowledgements
We thank Dr Steven A Gard for his advice and comments. We also thank the Iran National Science Foundation for financial support (grant number 92040942) for this research.
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Ahmadi Bani, M., Arazpour, M., Farahmand, F. et al. Design and analysis of a new medial reciprocal linkage using a lower limb paralysis simulator. Spinal Cord 53, 380–386 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.2014.193
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/sc.2014.193
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