Designing a passive dynamic SLS-3D printable ankle-foot orthosis

An ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) is a medical aid that helps individuals with deficient walking patterns achieve a more natural gait. There are various types of AFOs prescribed for different reasons. This thesis specifically focuses on passive dynamic ankle-foot orthoses (PD-AFOs) and even within that branch a very specific type: the carbon dorsal...

Design of a Hinge-Mechanism for an Ankle-Foot Orthosis that Increases Versatility and Ease of Use among AFO-Users

Background: The development of ankle-foot orthoses (AFOs) have come a long way over the past decade. However, most improvements are mainly focused on gait performance. Hereby, other tasks are overlooked. This is also stated by AFO- users. AFO-users want an AFO that can be adjusted to suit dierent tasks. An adjustable AFO...

Simulation of equinus gait and effects of ankle stiffness compensation with a neuromusculoskeletal model

Introduction: Pes equinus with increased ankle joint stiffness is a common impairment in stroke and Cerebral Palsy (CP) patients with structural and/or neural deficits of the ankle muscles. Equinus gait is characterized by toe-strike, abnormal ankle plantarflexion and decreased ankle range of motion (ROM). A new ankle-foot orthosis (AFO) with...

Design, fabrication and validation of an ankle-foot orthosis simulator system to optimize mechanical characteristics of AFOs for humans with impaired locomotion

The muscles around the ankle (calf and dorsal flexors) are essential for performing activities in daily life, like walking. Neurological and muscular pathologies, such as stroke, cerebral palsy, spinal cord injury, muscle atrophy and post-polio syndrome, affect the ability of voluntary muscle control and/or muscle strength of such muscles. This...

Development of a 3D printed patient specific Ankle Foot Orthosis

Patients diagnosed with drop foot syndrome experience difficulties creating enough clearance during walking, resulting in stumbling over very small obstacles. An Ankle Foot Orthosis is an orthopaedic aid which limits the plantar flexion of the foot, providing a safe walking gait for the patient. Currently, these AFOs are vacuum formed over a...

Design of an assistive cycling ankle-foot orthosis for Charcot-Marie-Tooth patients

This master thesis elaborates on the development of a assistive cycling ankle-foot orthosis for Charcot-Marie-Tooth patients. Study the influence of assistive torque on the kinematic analysis of the knee and ankle joints of a CMT patient on an ergometer bike.

The effect of ankle foot orthosis stiffness on the energy cost of walking: A simulation study

Background In stroke and multiple sclerosis patients, gait is frequently hampered by a reduced ability to push-off with the ankle caused by weakness of the plantar-flexor muscles. To enhance ankle push-off and to decrease the high energy cost of walking, spring-like carbon-composite Ankle Foot Orthoses are frequently prescribed. However, it is...