Unified Design Methodology for a Polycentric Transfemoral Knee Prosthesis Using Kinematic Synthesis

This study introduces a novel single-degree-of-freedom polycentric knee mechanism specifically designed for transfemoral prostheses to address dual challenges of stability during the stance phase and biomimetic motion during the swing phase. Leveraging analytical kinematic synthesis, the proposed me...

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Main Authors: Mertcan Koçak, Erkin Gezgin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-12-01
Series:Machines
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1702/13/1/20
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author Mertcan Koçak
Erkin Gezgin
author_facet Mertcan Koçak
Erkin Gezgin
author_sort Mertcan Koçak
collection DOAJ
description This study introduces a novel single-degree-of-freedom polycentric knee mechanism specifically designed for transfemoral prostheses to address dual challenges of stability during the stance phase and biomimetic motion during the swing phase. Leveraging analytical kinematic synthesis, the proposed mechanism integrates separate kinematic designs for each of the gait phases into a combined structure that prevents singularity issues during full knee flexion, which is a significant limitation in conventional active designs. The stance phase mechanism emphasizes stability through precise control of the instantaneous center of rotation (ICR) and weight-bearing support, while the swing phase mechanism adopts a biomimetic motion trajectory. In order to validate the proposed methodology, kinematic synthesis, numerical simulations, and visual analyses were conducted. Incorporating insights from polycentric prostheses and orthotic applications, the proposed mechanism achieves a seamless transition between two different configurations by keeping its overall mobility. Additionally, its possible compatibility with motorized actuation offers a foundation for active prosthesis systems, paving the way for adapting the advantages of polycentric prosthesis to active devices. This innovative approach offers a scientifically grounded pathway for improving transfemoral prosthetic systems, advancing both their biomechanical utility and user comfort.
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institution Kabale University
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spelling doaj-art-79c133ded2104928ae2fcd2d10004fb72025-01-24T13:39:10ZengMDPI AGMachines2075-17022024-12-011312010.3390/machines13010020Unified Design Methodology for a Polycentric Transfemoral Knee Prosthesis Using Kinematic SynthesisMertcan Koçak0Erkin Gezgin1Department of Mechatronics Engineering, İzmir Katip Çelebi University, 35620 Izmir, TurkeyDepartment of Mechatronics Engineering, İzmir Katip Çelebi University, 35620 Izmir, TurkeyThis study introduces a novel single-degree-of-freedom polycentric knee mechanism specifically designed for transfemoral prostheses to address dual challenges of stability during the stance phase and biomimetic motion during the swing phase. Leveraging analytical kinematic synthesis, the proposed mechanism integrates separate kinematic designs for each of the gait phases into a combined structure that prevents singularity issues during full knee flexion, which is a significant limitation in conventional active designs. The stance phase mechanism emphasizes stability through precise control of the instantaneous center of rotation (ICR) and weight-bearing support, while the swing phase mechanism adopts a biomimetic motion trajectory. In order to validate the proposed methodology, kinematic synthesis, numerical simulations, and visual analyses were conducted. Incorporating insights from polycentric prostheses and orthotic applications, the proposed mechanism achieves a seamless transition between two different configurations by keeping its overall mobility. Additionally, its possible compatibility with motorized actuation offers a foundation for active prosthesis systems, paving the way for adapting the advantages of polycentric prosthesis to active devices. This innovative approach offers a scientifically grounded pathway for improving transfemoral prosthetic systems, advancing both their biomechanical utility and user comfort.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1702/13/1/20transfemoral prostheseskinematic synthesisstructural synthesispolycentric mechanism
spellingShingle Mertcan Koçak
Erkin Gezgin
Unified Design Methodology for a Polycentric Transfemoral Knee Prosthesis Using Kinematic Synthesis
Machines
transfemoral prostheses
kinematic synthesis
structural synthesis
polycentric mechanism
title Unified Design Methodology for a Polycentric Transfemoral Knee Prosthesis Using Kinematic Synthesis
title_full Unified Design Methodology for a Polycentric Transfemoral Knee Prosthesis Using Kinematic Synthesis
title_fullStr Unified Design Methodology for a Polycentric Transfemoral Knee Prosthesis Using Kinematic Synthesis
title_full_unstemmed Unified Design Methodology for a Polycentric Transfemoral Knee Prosthesis Using Kinematic Synthesis
title_short Unified Design Methodology for a Polycentric Transfemoral Knee Prosthesis Using Kinematic Synthesis
title_sort unified design methodology for a polycentric transfemoral knee prosthesis using kinematic synthesis
topic transfemoral prostheses
kinematic synthesis
structural synthesis
polycentric mechanism
url https://www.mdpi.com/2075-1702/13/1/20
work_keys_str_mv AT mertcankocak unifieddesignmethodologyforapolycentrictransfemoralkneeprosthesisusingkinematicsynthesis
AT erkingezgin unifieddesignmethodologyforapolycentrictransfemoralkneeprosthesisusingkinematicsynthesis