چكيده به لاتين
Abstract:
Major technological advancements drive the limb prosthetics market. Outstanding innovative advancements in technology have catalyzed the modernization of prosthetics, spurring a significant growth in the prosthetics market. Thanks to these developments, today’s prosthetic devices cater to the specific needs of patients. Products ranging from conventional knees to energy-storing feet help amputees lead more normal and productive lives. The prosthetics market is impacted by the occurrence of disease, war, and accidents.
thus, increasing the consumer base and presenting opportunities for service providers. While diseases such as diabetes and peripheral vascular disease are the leading causes of amputation, accidents and war continue to play a major role in driving the limb prosthetics market.
For the above-knee amputee, the prosthetic knee joint is one of the most critical components of the prosthesis. Replacing the amazingly complex human knee has been an ongoing challenge since the beginning of modern prosthetics. A prosthetic knee has to mimic the function of the normal knee while providing stability and safety at a reasonable weight and cost. A prosthetic knee that produces the most functional outcomes is needed.
The optimal design of human lower limb prostheses, in particular of knee devices, is fundamental in order to restore the lost functionality and aesthetic aspect of the amputee’s locomotion. Among all knee devices, the four-bar linkage is still the most widespread mechanism, since, despite its simplicity, it allows the prosthesis to be sufficiently stable and, at the same time, to replicate the natural motion of the joint with a sufficient accuracy.
Starting from an experimental reference motion and given some patient-specific requirements related to his capacity to control and to stabilize the prosthesis, the procedure identifies the four-bar linkage that best-fits the experimental motion, at the same time respecting the given specifications.
The performance of the subjects with above-knee amputation is noticeably poorer than normal subjects. Various types of components have been designed to compensate their performance. Among various prosthetic components, the knee joint has great influence on the function. Two types of knee joints (3R36, 3R20) have been used broadly for above-knee prostheses.
However, the use of these modern engineering technologies in biomedical applications for the delivery of human healthcare has increased exponentially in the last three decades.
Thus, though many parts of a prosthesis may be mass-produced, it is necessary for each limb to be assembled in correct alignment and fitted to the stump to meet the individual requirements of the intended user. To make and fit artificial limbs properly requires a complete understanding of anatomical and physiological principles and of mechanics; craftsmanship and artistic ability are also required.
Keywords: four-bar linkage, above-knee amputee, limb prosthetics, prosthetic components, knee devices
