SPARKy - Spring Ankle with Regenerative Kinetics to Build a New Generation of Transtibial Prostheses

Abstract

The goal is to design the Spring Ankle with Regenerative Kinetics (SPARKy) which seeks to develop a new generation of powered prosthetic devices based on the Robotic Tendon actuator. This actuator is a lightweight motor and transmission in series with a helical spring that significantly minimizes the peak power requirement of an electric motor and total system energy. The Robotic Tendon has kinetic advantages and stores and releases energy to provide SPARKy users with 100% of required push-off power and ankle range of motion comparable to able-bodied ankle motion while maintaining a form factor that is portable to the wearer. In the second year, we developed and tested a transtibial prosthesis that supports continuous unstructured walking for up to 2.8 hours. A pilot study with 2 subjects tested the device. All components are worn and are lightweight and portable. In the third year, jogging on a treadmill will be demonstrated.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 01, 2010
Accession Number
ADA620088

Entities

People

  • Thomas G. Sugar

Organizations

  • Arizona State University

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Advanced Electronics
  • Biomedical
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Actuators
  • Amputees
  • Dc Motors
  • Demographic Cohorts
  • Electric Motors
  • Health Services
  • Helical Springs
  • Kinetics
  • Lightweight
  • Lower Limb Amputees
  • Lower Limb Prostheses
  • Motion Capture
  • Motors
  • Peak Power
  • Pilot Studies
  • Prostheses And Implants
  • Prosthetics

Readers

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Exercise and Sports Science.
  • Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Care for Military Service Members and Veterans with Limb Loss or Disability.

Technology Areas

  • AI & ML
  • AI & ML - Autonomous Systems
  • Autonomy