Ankle foot orthosis (AFO) are externally applied device that a reused to support as well as control the foot and ankle joint of patients having foot deformity. Foot drop is caused by a deficiency in the ankle joint in which results in the weakness of ankle and toe dorsiflexion. This research proposes a new approach to design and performance evaluation of AFO fabrication that utilizes modeling, simulation and analysis software (like Open Sim, Ansys Work bench & Solid work) and additive manufacturing technologies to customize the fit form to an individual. By implementing a carbon fibre strut at ankle joint the design will result in a stronger, more comfortable, more flexible AFO that can adaptively constrain ankle movement for various different activities.
GAIT Analysis was performed on six patients having foot drop, from the emotion analysis system in the GAIT lab. The data from the GAIT lab was then imported into the Open Sim to create a biomechanics simulation to extract the joint angle and joint moments. These value of ankle angle and moment with & without AFO was compared with normal value. The results show a considerable effect of the use of the AFO by drop foot patients in terms of ankle angle and ankle moments. Furthermore, the muscular analysis in terms of activation and forces also suggest that the dorsiflexors are assisted by the AFO during GAIT and the activation of the plantarflexion are considerably less during the lifting of the foot of the ground.
Table of Contents
1. INTRODUCTION
2. MATERIAL AND METHODS
2.1 ORTHOGONAL ARRAY
3. ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE(ANOVA)
4. RESULT
5. FUTURESCOPE
Research Objectives and Topics
This study aims to optimize the design and performance evaluation of Ankle Foot Orthosis (AFO) for patients suffering from foot drop by utilizing advanced biomechanical modeling, simulation software, and additive manufacturing techniques. The research focuses on enhancing the functional support of the ankle joint through a carbon fiber strut design, validated by gait analysis and biomechanical testing.
- Design and optimization of Ankle Foot Orthosis using Taguchi Methods.
- Biomechanical simulation of human gait using OpenSim and Minitab analysis.
- Performance evaluation of AFOs in terms of joint angle and joint moments.
- Investigation of muscular activation and dorsiflexion assistance in drop foot patients.
Excerpt from the Book
1. INTRODUCTION
Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFOs) are orthoses that use the lower leg joint, the entire or part of the foot. AFOs are proposed to control improvement, cure bending or perhaps change for shortcoming. AFOs can be outlined out with adequate mechanical lever arms to control the lower leg complex unmistakably and to influence the knee joint round about [1]. AFOs are after a short time the most widely utilized orthoses in the India, addressing 26% of clinical practice by guaranteed orthotist, twofold that of some other sort of orthosis. There are many sorts of AFOs, which may move in their biomechanical setup ( searched for mechanical compel frameworks, any joint or elucidation, game-plan and degree of advancement), materials and parts[2].
To see how AFOs function, we should first manage two standard demand that happen at the lower leg joint "dorsiflexion" and "plantar flexion" appeared in Figure 1.1 [3]. Plantar flexion is the change the lower leg joint makes when the toes point jumping. Dorsiflexion is the progress the lower leg joint makes when the foot focuses upward. This change needs to happen when the foot tumbles off the land with the target that the patient does not clear up their toes. Patients with draft dependably have a halfway or complete inadequacy of the muscles that dorsiflexion the foot at the lower leg joint[4-5]. Whatever sorts of orthoses are recommended or fitted, they share diverse general structure shows and attempt give a couple or most of the parts underneath:
Summary of Chapters
1. INTRODUCTION: Provides an overview of Ankle Foot Orthoses, their clinical relevance in treating foot drop, and an explanation of the underlying biomechanical terminology.
2. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Details the statistical and engineering approaches used for the study, specifically focusing on the Taguchi design and Orthogonal Array strategy for parameter optimization.
2.1 ORTHOGONAL ARRAY: Explains the discovery testing strategy used to determine optimal design parameters for the AFO strut when the number of system contributions is small.
3. ANALYSIS OF VARIANCE(ANOVA): Describes the application of three-way ANOVA to evaluate the statistical significance of the experimental data regarding torque and design factors.
4. RESULT: Summarizes the key findings, confirming that the biomechanical simulations and carbon fiber strut design significantly improve dorsiflexion and ankle moments in drop foot patients.
5. FUTURESCOPE: Outlines future research directions, including dynamic simulations in OpenSim and the potential for sliding spring designs to assist walking on ramps and stairs.
Keywords
Ankle Foot Orthosis, Human Gait, Optimization Techniques, Teguchi Method, Foot Drop, Biomechanics, OpenSim, Additive Manufacturing, Dorsiflexion, Muscular Analysis, ANOVA, Carbon Fiber Strut, Gait Analysis, Orthotics, Kinematics.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this research?
The research focuses on the optimized design and performance evaluation of Ankle Foot Orthoses (AFO) for patients suffering from foot drop, utilizing modern modeling and additive manufacturing.
What are the central themes discussed in this work?
Central themes include biomechanical gait analysis, design optimization using the Taguchi Method, and the development of custom-fit, high-performance orthotic devices.
What is the primary research goal?
The primary goal is to create a stronger, more comfortable, and flexible AFO that can adaptively constrain ankle movement and assist in dorsiflexion for patients with foot drop.
Which scientific methods are applied in the study?
The study employs biomechanical simulation (OpenSim), statistical hypothesis testing (ANOVA), and Orthogonal Array testing via the Taguchi design methodology.
What is covered in the main section of the paper?
The main sections cover the classification and function of AFOs, the methodology for testing design parameters, the statistical verification of results, and the analysis of gait kinematics and kinetics.
Which keywords characterize this paper?
The paper is characterized by terms such as Ankle Foot Orthosis, Human Gait, Optimization Techniques, Teguchi Method, and Biomechanics.
How does the carbon fiber strut contribute to the AFO design?
The implementation of a carbon fiber strut at the ankle joint is designed to provide a higher torque, making the AFO stronger and more flexible, which aids patients with limited or no ankle motion.
What do the simulation results indicate regarding the AFO's effectiveness?
The simulation results indicate a significant improvement in ankle angle and moment, suggesting that the dorsiflexors are effectively assisted by the AFO during the gait cycle.
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- Dr. Harish Kumar Banga (Autor:in), Parveen Kalra (Autor:in), R.M. Belokar (Autor:in), Rajesh Kumar (Autor:in), Prashant Kumar (Autor:in), 2019, Optimized Design and Testing of Kids Ankle Foot Orthosis. A Case Study, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/507068
