Automated Stance Controlled-Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis

Constraining the knee to full extension for disabled patients during walking solves the body-weight support problem. However, it decreases the gait efficiency and increases the vertical displacement of the body. The proposed design of the Automated Stance Controlled Knee-ankle-foot Orthosis offers a match to the naturally occurring gait events. This is made possible by utilizing foot contact switches and electrogoniometer with a motor and integrating them with the orthosis. The proposed design is aimed at patients with one lower limb knee and ankle muscle weakness and spinal cord injury level C. The Automated Stance Controlled-Knee-Ankle-Foot Orthosis aims to have faster walking speeds, fewer compensatory motions, and more symmetrical gait patterns. In this paper, several verification tests were performed to ensure the proper performance of the proposed orthosis design. These tests involve the analysis of the orthosis material, techniques of knee angle measurement, and analysis of the gait cycle.