The evaluation of mechanical behavior of plastic Ankle-Foot Orthosis (AFO) is important since AFO can provide an efficient support to patients with disabilities in locomotion. This paper reports on a novel testing apparatus that allows: (a) the evaluation of AFO stiffness in sagittal and frontal planes; (b) the conduction of semi-automatic trials; and, finally, (c) a global accuracy associated to the AFO stiffness values always less than 4%. The stiffness values are determined by the measurements of the imposed relative displacements between the foot and the shank of the orthosis and the induced reaction forces. The data collected together in an exact 2-D approach, together with those provided by gait analysis systems, allows to better understand gait alteration induced by ankle orthosis, and to improve clinical management of patients.
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December 2003
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A Novel Device to Evaluate the Stiffness of Ankle-Foot Orthosis Devices
P. Cappa,,
P. Cappa,
Department of Mechanics and Aeronautics, University of Rome “La Sapienza,” Via Eudossiana 18, Rome, Italy
Clinical Engineering Service, Children’s Hospital “Bambino Gesu`,” Piazza San Onofrio, 4, Rome, Italy
Paediatric Neuro-Rehabilitation Division, Children’s Hospital “Bambino Gese`,” Palidoro, Rome, Italy
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F. Patane`,,
F. Patane`,
Department of Mechanics and Aeronautics, University of Rome “La Sapienza,” Via Eudossiana 18, Rome, Italy
Clinical Engineering Service, Children’s Hospital “Bambino Gesu`,” Piazza San Onofrio, 4, Rome, Italy
Paediatric Neuro-Rehabilitation Division, Children’s Hospital “Bambino Gese`,” Palidoro, Rome, Italy
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M. M. Pierro
M. M. Pierro
Department of Mechanics and Aeronautics, University of Rome “La Sapienza,” Via Eudossiana 18, Rome, Italy
Clinical Engineering Service, Children’s Hospital “Bambino Gesu`,” Piazza San Onofrio, 4, Rome, Italy
Paediatric Neuro-Rehabilitation Division, Children’s Hospital “Bambino Gese`,” Palidoro, Rome, Italy
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P. Cappa,
Department of Mechanics and Aeronautics, University of Rome “La Sapienza,” Via Eudossiana 18, Rome, Italy
Clinical Engineering Service, Children’s Hospital “Bambino Gesu`,” Piazza San Onofrio, 4, Rome, Italy
Paediatric Neuro-Rehabilitation Division, Children’s Hospital “Bambino Gese`,” Palidoro, Rome, Italy
F. Patane`,
Department of Mechanics and Aeronautics, University of Rome “La Sapienza,” Via Eudossiana 18, Rome, Italy
Clinical Engineering Service, Children’s Hospital “Bambino Gesu`,” Piazza San Onofrio, 4, Rome, Italy
Paediatric Neuro-Rehabilitation Division, Children’s Hospital “Bambino Gese`,” Palidoro, Rome, Italy
M. M. Pierro
Department of Mechanics and Aeronautics, University of Rome “La Sapienza,” Via Eudossiana 18, Rome, Italy
Clinical Engineering Service, Children’s Hospital “Bambino Gesu`,” Piazza San Onofrio, 4, Rome, Italy
Paediatric Neuro-Rehabilitation Division, Children’s Hospital “Bambino Gese`,” Palidoro, Rome, Italy
Contributed by the Bioengineering Division for publication in the JOURNAL OF BIOMECHANICAL ENGINEERING. Manuscript received by the Bioengineering Division October 21, 2002; final revision received May 6, 2003. Associate Editor: K. Vaughan.
J Biomech Eng. Dec 2003, 125(6): 913-917 (5 pages)
Published Online: January 9, 2004
Article history
Received:
October 21, 2002
Revised:
May 6, 2003
Online:
January 9, 2004
Citation
Cappa,, P., Patane`,, F., and Pierro, M. M. (January 9, 2004). "A Novel Device to Evaluate the Stiffness of Ankle-Foot Orthosis Devices ." ASME. J Biomech Eng. December 2003; 125(6): 913–917. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.1634993
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