Design of speed adaptive myoelectric active ankle prosthesis

Abstract

This Letter presents the design and development of active myoelectric ankle foot prosthesis for transtibial amputees. The proposed device consists of a linear actuator mechanism, designed specifically to replicate a normal ankle joint and is controlled by user’s myoelectric signal. The developed prosthesis provides active actuation during gait and is adaptive to change in walking speed. In this Letter, the authors report initial experimental characterisation of the performance of the control system. The developed device has been tested on a transtibial amputee. Results validate the adaptive trajectory control mechanism with dynamic speed change.