Evaluation of Motion/Force Transmission Between Passive/Active Orthosis and Subject Through Forward Dynamic Analysis

Abstract

Forward dynamic analysis of the acquired gait of subjects assisted by either passive or active knee-ankle-foot orthoses and crutches is used to evaluate the motion and force transmission between orthosis and subject depending on the connecting stiffness. Unlike inverse dynamic analysis, this approach allows to consider the subject’s limbs and the assistive devices as different entities, so that their relative behavior may be studied. The quality of motion transmission and the intensity of interface forces are evaluated for a range of connecting stiffness values, so that those providing the best trade-off between both aspects can be identified.