Li Wentao, Lemaire Edward D, Baddour Natalie
Annu Int Conf IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc. 2020 Jul;2020:4831-4834. doi: 10.1109/EMBC44109.2020.9175829.
Ankle foot orthosis (AFO) stiffness affects ankle range of motion but can also provide energy storage and return to improve mobility. To perform multiple activities during the day, a person may want to change their AFO stiffness to meet their activity's demand. Carrying multiple AFOs and changing AFOs is inconvenient and could discourage users from engaging in multiple activities. This project will develop a new quick-release mechanism (QRM) that allows users to easily change posterior strut elements to change AFO stiffness. The QRM attaches to the AFO and requires no tools to operate. The proposed QRM includes a quick-release key, weight-bearing pin, receptacle anchor, and immobilization pin. A prototype was modelled with SolidWorks and simulated with SolidWorks Simulation. The QRM was designed to have no mechanical failure during intense activities such as downhill walking and jogging. Unlike a solid screw connection, the QRM needed an additional part to eliminate unsecured motion related to clearance between the quick release key and receptacle anchor. Mechanical test results and measurement data proved no deformation on each part after mechanical testing.Clinical Relevance- The quick release AFO has the potential to improve user's activities range by tuning from stiffness free mode to high stiffness mode.
踝足矫形器（AFO）的刚度会影响踝关节的活动范围，但也能提供能量储存和回馈以改善活动能力。为了在一天中进行多种活动，人们可能希望改变其AFO的刚度以满足活动需求。携带多个AFO并更换AFO很不方便，可能会阻碍用户参与多种活动。本项目将开发一种新的快速释放机制（QRM），使用户能够轻松更换后支柱部件以改变AFO的刚度。该QRM连接到AFO，操作无需工具。拟议的QRM包括快速释放键、承重销、插座锚和固定销。使用SolidWorks对原型进行建模，并使用SolidWorks Simulation进行模拟。QRM的设计目标是在诸如下坡行走和慢跑等剧烈活动中不出现机械故障。与实心螺丝连接不同，QRM需要一个额外的部件来消除与快速释放键和插座锚之间间隙相关的未固定运动。机械测试结果和测量数据证明，机械测试后每个部件均未变形。临床意义——快速释放AFO有潜力通过从自由刚度模式调整到高刚度模式来扩大用户的活动范围。
