Non-Energized Above Knee Prosthesis Enabling Stairs Ascending and Descending with Hydraulic Flow Controller

• Kikuchi Takayuki

  Tokai University

• Fujino Ryota

  MHPS Engineering Co., Ltd.

• Igarashi Kenta

  Tokai University

• Koganezawa Koichi

  Tokai University

Abstract

This paper deals with an above-knee prosthesis (AKP) that allows stair ascending/descending with no external energy source. It controls the passive resistance and interlocking strength of the knee and ankle joints with a flow control valve (FCV) equipped with a hydraulic system. The FCV is also mechanically controlled by an automatic flow controller (AFC). Our previous study certified that the experimental AKP allows step-over-step gait in stair ascending and a slight knee flexion at the initial stage of the stance phase in level ground walking, as observed from non-amputees’ walking. However, the experiments showed that the AKP does not allow smooth flexing of the knee in the stance phase during stairs descending because of the improper timing of the AFC opening. This paper shows the total walking performance of the AKP equipped with a refined AFC.

Journal

• Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics

  Journal of Robotics and Mechatronics 30 (6), 892-899, 2018-12-20

  Fuji Technology Press Ltd.

Keywords

• above-knee prosthesis
• ascending/descending stairs
• no external energy source
• hydraulic system

Details

• CRID: 1390564238055788928
• NII Article ID: 130007535732
• NII Book ID: AA10809998
• DOI: 10.20965/jrm.2018.p0892
• ISSN: 18838049
• ISSN: 09153942
• NDL BIB ID: 029392803
• Web Site: http://id.ndl.go.jp/bib/029392803
• Web Site: https://ndlsearch.ndl.go.jp/books/R000000004-I029392803
• Web Site: https://www.fujipress.jp/main/wp-content/themes/Fujipress/phyosetsu.php?ppno=ROBOT003000060006
• Text Lang: en
• Data Source:
  • JaLC
  • NDL
  • Crossref
  • CiNii Articles
  • KAKEN
• Abstract License Flag: Disallowed