Improving the Design Metrics of Walking Assistive Devices

Abstract

There are millions of people who are unable to be mobile without the use of mobility aids. Being mobile, and more specifically walking, has a great impact on a person’s quality of life. Not being able to walk, as well as walking abnormalities can have many long-term effects both physically and psychologically. Although walking aids are designed to help with walking, sometimes how they impact the body can have negative impacts, such as arthritis, scoliosis, and increased energy use. Therefore, designing walking aids optimally is very important. The design methodology proposed in this work to assist in the optimal design of walking assistive devices is the user center design approach utilizing and user-centered design. This work asserts that in the design of walking assistive devices some biomechanical considerations can be consistent. The considerations this research will analyze are lower limb joint angles, lower limb joint moments, lower limb joint symmetry, interaction forces. This dissertation aims to identify design metrics and specify design concepts using these considerations with the user-centered design process for two walking assistive devices: an exoskeleton and above the knee prosthesis for unilateral transfemoral amputees.