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Biomimetic Transfemoral Knee with a Gear Mesh Locking Mechanism
Abstract - The innovation presented in this paper is a passive knee locking mechanism that incorporates a cross-linked, four- bar mechanism similar to the sagittal plane configuration of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). The flexible four-bar mechanism guides the motion of the knee and aids in the return of the knee from full flexion to extension. The flexible four-bar mecha- nism also connects the femoral spur gear to the tibia spur gear. The gears are based on a circular radius, derived from femoral condyle dimensions. The gears are connected using a parallel link to keep the femur and tibia from moving away from each other when the knee is in motion. This prosthetic knee design is based on the anatomical dimen- sions of a human knee, which allows the design to be scaled from a large adult male to a small pediatric knee.
[ IJERI | pdf]
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