Continuation of the prosthetics project
Short update
The project is continuing with a research into crucial information about the introduction of a new lower leg prosthesis. Besides information about the human gait, the physiological background and the medical needs, an analysis about all the problems was made. This analysis led to a specific design assignment.
Design assignment
This project will focus on developing a prototype of a transtibial prosthesis which can be adjusted to 'own' insight by local people and the users themselves. This prosthesis should be produced by a small budget for a large group of users without much compromise to the quality of the product. Manufacturing of the prototype should be possible on the same day as the patient’s first visit. Used materials must be locally and directly available. It must be possible to process the materials used by the Fablab machinery and equipment to produce the prototype.
Sub assignments
- Degrees of freedom: examine the number of desired and required degrees of freedom by conversion from a natural situation to a prototype of a lower leg prosthesis.
- Materials: research into materials suitable for use in the manufacturing of the lower leg prosthesis. Which materials are suitable for the socket, the connecting element and the prosthetic foot? How can the materials be produced and processed? Where do the materials come from? Materials available in Indonesia will be examined if they meet the requirements of the design.
- Leg fixation: investigate the best way to connect the prosthesis to the residual of the leg of the amputee, while manufacturing must be fast and the solution must be cheap.
- Fixation socket to foot prosthesis: investigate the best way to connect the socket to the prosthetic foot and connecting element.
- Foot prosthesis: create a durable, but mobility improving foot prosthesis.
- Adjustability: investigate the possibilities of adjustable parts of the prosthesis. To what extent is adjustability desirable for the user.'
- Prototype design: elaborate the design with drawings and computer models.
Creating ideas
Goals can only be reached by creating new ideas or improving existing ones. In the next pictures an image is created about the ideas thought of, and the possibilities to comply with the assignment.
Overview of different lower leg prosthesis for developing countries:
Overview of different foot prosthesis designs:
Collection of different lower leg prosthesis designs:
Some of the possible designs.
$50 lower leg prosthesis:
All adjustable lower leg prosthesis:
All-in-one lower leg prosthesis:
Total External Fixation lower leg prosthesis:
Recycling materials lower leg prosthesis:
3D printed lower leg prosthesis:
Evolved Jaipur lower leg prosthesis:
Evolved ICRC lower leg prosthesis:
