Development of a Stance and Swing Phase Control Transfemoral Prosthesis

Abstract

In this study, a transfemoral prosthesis system of which both stance phase and swing phase are controllable has been developed for the recovery of the biomechanical function of the amputated leg. It consists of a 5 bar link mechanism, a hydraulic-rubber knee damper for stance phase control and a pneumatic cylinder controlled via a microprocessor for stance phase control. The mechanical characteristics of the knee damper which absorbs the impact energy generated at the heel contact were investigated. The characteristics of the pneumatic cylinder essential for the speed adaptation of the prosthesis during swing phase were also studied for its mechanical characteristics. The prosthesis was subject to the clinical tests, and the gait characteristics obtained were very close to those of normal subjects. The stance and swing controlled prosthesis that were developed in this study showed good stability during the stance phase and showed good controllability during the swing phase.