• About
    • Login
    View Item 
    •   Institutional Repository Home
    • Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    • Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    • View Item
    •   Institutional Repository Home
    • Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    • Electronic Theses and Dissertations
    • View Item
    JavaScript is disabled for your browser. Some features of this site may not work without it.

    Browse

    All of Institutional RepositoryCommunities & CollectionsBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjectsThis CollectionBy Issue DateAuthorsTitlesSubjects

    My Account

    LoginRegister

    A Study of Multifunctional Slope Adaptive Behaviors in Ankle Prostheses

    Finley, Pierce Stephen
    : https://etd.library.vanderbilt.edu/etd-07172019-121732
    http://hdl.handle.net/1803/13152
    : 2019-07-19

    Abstract

    While carbon fiber spring prostheses remain the standard in transtibial prostheses, an increasing number of multifunctional prostheses – those that provide different behaviors than a simple spring, such as hydraulic damping – have started to emerge. This thesis evaluates two multifunctional behaviors relative to a fixed-angle spring. One introduces damping in the mid-stance range of motion, which becomes a simple spring outside that range. The other also introduces conformal damping in the mid-stance range of motion, but incorporates a variable spring equilibrium angle to adapt to slopes. To assess these three behaviors in a consistent manner, a robotic ankle prosthesis emulator was used and controlled real-time from Simulink. It is expected that the spring will provide the best energy return and symmetry of gait, but the hydraulic damping will reduce socket moments, especially on inclines. The equilibrium-adjusting behavior should provide energy benefits similar to a simple spring, with reduced socket moments due to the conformal damping. Three participants walked with each ankle behavior on level, inclined, and declined angles. From motion capture and ground reaction force data, the energy return, symmetry of step length, and average socket moment were calculated for each step. The conclusion is threefold: 1) mid-stance damping increases comfort; 2) however, mid-stance damping decreases energy return and reduces step symmetry on level ground; 3) by introducing a variable spring equilibrium with mid-stance damping, the ankle can provide both increased comfort on level ground and slopes without sacrificing energy return and step symmetry.
    Show full item record

    Files in this item

    Icon
    Name:
    1_Pierce_Finley_MS_Thesis_Elec ...
    Size:
    1.594Mb
    Format:
    PDF
    View/Open

    This item appears in the following collection(s):

    • Electronic Theses and Dissertations

    Connect with Vanderbilt Libraries

    Your Vanderbilt

    • Alumni
    • Current Students
    • Faculty & Staff
    • International Students
    • Media
    • Parents & Family
    • Prospective Students
    • Researchers
    • Sports Fans
    • Visitors & Neighbors

    Support the Jean and Alexander Heard Libraries

    Support the Library...Give Now

    Gifts to the Libraries support the learning and research needs of the entire Vanderbilt community. Learn more about giving to the Libraries.

    Become a Friend of the Libraries

    Quick Links

    • Hours
    • About
    • Employment
    • Staff Directory
    • Accessibility Services
    • Contact
    • Vanderbilt Home
    • Privacy Policy