Prosthetic Leg
The focus of this project is to create a low-cost, high-performance prosthetic knee that uses only passive mechanical elements to generate a normal walking gait. The device is being designed to meet the mobility and stability needs of above-knee amputees in developing countries and offer improved performance over locked and free-swinging joints. The project includes investigating the fundamental bio-mechanics of trans-tibial amputees and codifying how changes in lower leg and foot mass affect desired knee torque and hip energy output throughout the gait cycle. With this insight, we are optimizing simple, passive mechanical elements, such as springs and dampers, to create the correct knee torque to induce desired gait kinematics. Our aim is to provide similar levels of performance as high-end, active-controlled knees at a fraction of the cost, and make a prosthetic technology that will be adopted in developing and developed markets.
Partners
Bhagwan Mahaveer Viklang Sahayata Samiti (BMVSS) Jaipur Foot
Northwestern University Prosthetics-Orthotics Center
Sponsors
Tata Center for Technology and Design
Public Service Fellowship (MIT)
MIT Mechanical Engineering Mathworks Fellowship
Publications
Peer-Reviewed Journal Articles
Design of a four-bar latch mechanism and a shear-based rotary viscous damper for single-axis prosthetic knees
VN Murthy Arelekatti, Nina T Petelina, W Brett Johnson, Matthew J Major, Amos G Winter, V. Journal of Mechanisms and Robotics (2021) || download
Knee Swing Phase Flexion Resistance Affects Several Key Features of Leg Swing Important to Safe Transfemoral Prosthetic Gait
Jenny A Kent, VN Murthy Arelekatti, Nina T Petelina, W Brett Johnson, John T Brinkmann, Amos G Winter, Matthew J Major. IEEE Transactions on Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering (2021) || download
Using Human-Centered and Biomechanical Analysis to Determine Design Requirements for a Prosthetic Knee for Use in India
Narang, Y., Arelekatti, V. N. M., Austin-Breneman, J. & Winter, A., (In Review)
The Effects of the Inertial Properties of Above-Knee Prostheses on Optimal Stiffness, Damping, and Engagement Parameters of Passive Prosthetic Knees
Narang, Y., Arelekatti, V. N. M., & Winter, A., ASME Journal of Biomechanical Engineering (2016) || download
Design and Preliminary Field Validation of a Fully Passive Prosthetic Knee Mechanism for Users with Transfemoral Amputation in India
Arelekatti, V. N. M., & Winter, A., ASME Journal of Mechanisms and Robotics (2016) || download
The Effects of Prosthesis Inertial Properties on Prosthetic Knee Moment and Hip Energetics Required to Achieve Able-bodied Kinematics
Narang, Y., Arelekatti, V. N. M., & Winter, A., IEEE Transactions of Neural Systems and Rehabilitation Engineering (2015)
Peer-Reviewed Conference Articles
Design of a Passive, Shear-Based Rotary Hydraulic Damper for Single-Axis Prosthetic Knees.
Arelekatti, V.N.M., Petelina, N.T., Johnson, W.B., Major, M.J., Winter V, A.G., Proceedings of the 42nd Mechanisms and Robotics Conference (MR), ASME IDETC/CIE, (2018) Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
Modular Design of a Passive, Low-Cost Prosthetic Knee Mechanism to Enable Able-Bodied Kinematics for Users with Transfemoral Amputation
Arelekatti, V.N.M., Joh, Y., Warner, J.C., Berringer, M.A., Boehmcke, P.J., Fischman, J.Z., Huang, A.Y., Major, M., & Winter, A., 41st Mechanisms and Robotics Conference ASME IDETC/CIE (2017)
Design of a fully passive prosthetic knee mechanism for transfemoral amputees in India.
Arelekatti, V. N. M., & Winter, A., IEEE International Conference on Rehabilitation Robotics (2015)
Design of Mechanism and Preliminary Field Validation of Low-Cost, Passive Prosthetic Knee for Users with Transfemoral Amputation in India
Arelekatti, V. N. M., & Winter, A., ASME IDETC/CIE (2015)
Effects of Prosthesis Mass on Hip Energetics, Prosthetic Knee Torque, and Prosthetic Knee Stiffness and Damping Parameters Required for Transfemoral Amputees to Walk With Normative Kinematics
Narang, Y., Arelekatti, V. N. M., & Winter, A., ASME IDETC/CIE (2014)
Theses
Frameworks for the design of passive prosthetic knee components using user-centered methods and biomechanics of level-ground walking
Arelekatti, M., PhD Thesis (MIT, Sept 2019)
Exploring the Role of Damping in a Passive Prosthetic Knee through Modeling, Design, and Testing
Petelina, N., Master's Thesis (MIT, Sept 2019)
Design of Low-Cost, Fully Passive Prosthetic Knee for Persons with Transfemoral Amputation in India
Arelekatti, V. N. M., Master's Thesis (MIT, 2015)
Identification of design requirements for a high-performance, low-cost, passive prosthetic knee through user analysis and dynamic simulation
Narang, Y., Master's Thesis (MIT, 2013)
Press
Prof. Amos Winter joins “BOOM: Biomechanics on our Minds” podcast, available on Spotify, SoundCloud, or Apple Podcast
Katy Olesnavage Featured Student, on MIT MechE