Description:

Dynamic Recreational Prosthetic Foot with Quick-Release Coupling System Using Additive Manufacturing.

With a goal to utilize advances in Additive manufacturing a gap in the recreational prosthetics market was identified, which lead to the need for a dynamic prosthetic foot that could be used on a coastline environment and would not lead to abrasion, as found in carbon-fibre prosthetics. The project was conducted in collaboration with the NZALS.

This system allows amputees to safely remove and replace their prosthetic foot themselves whilst still maintaining the prescribed prosthetic alignment, which typically requires professional medical assistance.

The Dynamic foot design is an additional foot to a patients typical walking foot that could be worn at the beach. Analysing video footage of the human gait cycle, informed were to create flexible sections in the foot prosthetic. The slot cut designs have an attractive, dynamic quality to them. The cut sections close as the foot engages through pressure and open as pressure is relieved when propelling the foot forward. As it opens, the windows show the interesting dynamic of these components in action. The internal features include a sheet of 2mm nylon that acts the same as a carbon fibre prosthetic foot design, using a curved profile acting as a spring and a bellow spring design to provide extra support and stability.

The coupling system was an integral part of the design to reduce having a second activity leg, which is the traditional method if a patient wants a different foot. The simple quick-release lever mechanism allows amputees to easily change between foot prosthetics with their hands or feet whilst maintaining a slim profile that won't get caught by loose clothing. Lastly, it enables amputees to disconnect their foot from the pylon to facilitate putting on trousers, eliminating the need to thread pants over the foot prosthetic due to amputees' inability to articulate the foot.