Kobayashi, T, Leung, A, Akazawa, Y, Naito, H, Tanaka, M and Hutchins, S 2010, 'Design of an automated device to measure sagittal plane stiffness of an articulated ankle-foot orthosis' , Prosthetics and Orthotics International, 34 (4) , pp. 439-448.

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to design a new automated stiffness measurement device which could perform a simultaneous measurement of both dorsi- and plantarflexion angles and the corresponding resistive torque around the rotational centre of an articulated ankle-foot orthosis (AAFO). This was achieved by controlling angular velocities and range of motion in the sagittal plane. The device consisted of a hydraulic servo fatigue testing machine, a torque meter, a potentiometer, a rotary plate and an upright supporter to enable an AAFO to be attached to the device via a surrogate shank. The accuracy of the device in reproducing the range of motion and angular velocity was within 4% and 1% respectively in the range of motion of 308 (158 plantarflexion to 158 dorsiflexion) at the angular velocity of 108/s, while that in the measurement of AAFO torque was within 8% at the 08 position. The device should prove useful to assist an orthotist or a manufacturer to quantify the stiffness of an AAFO and inform its clinical use.

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