Search algorithm for optimal damping parameters of transfemoral prosthetic limb

Abstract

• A mathematical model to bring symmetry in knee joints angle trajectories. • A comparison between grid search and optimization is reported. • Damping adjustment of microprocessor based prosthetic knee joint with minimum effort. • An automated and time-efficient method for adjusting damper's parameter. In this paper, we developed a mathematical model to find the parameters of prosthetic damper which will provide a similar trajectory for the prosthetic knee joint. Two popular searching methods namely grid searching and optimization are used to determine the damper's parameters. The proposed model is validated with a simulation process using the data of the able-body individuals. We utilized the ground reaction force of sound limb to determine the values of the damper parameters of a prosthetic knee joint for maximum symmetry. Symmetry between knee moments was also improved in the stance period with optimized parameters. Finally, optimization-based searching was observed to be more computationally efficient than the grid-based searching method. The present study will provide a virtual solution to set the prosthetic dampers parameters based on user needs. In the future, the present method can be used for adjusting damping of microprocessor prosthetic knee joint for symmetrical gait pattern.