Prototype of a Spring-Loaded Module for Axillary Crutches
Axillary crutches assist people with lower limb injuries but can lead to upper limb strain with extended use. Spring-loaded crutches offer a potential solution, yet they are rarely tested in clinical settings. This study developed spring-loaded crutches with an integrated force-measuring system to a...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Sensors |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/2/296 |
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| author | Dalia Danely Méndez-Gómez Arturo Minor-Martínez Salvador Montoya-Alvarez Fernando Pérez-Escamirosa Jessica Cantillo-Negrete |
| author_facet | Dalia Danely Méndez-Gómez Arturo Minor-Martínez Salvador Montoya-Alvarez Fernando Pérez-Escamirosa Jessica Cantillo-Negrete |
| author_sort | Dalia Danely Méndez-Gómez |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Axillary crutches assist people with lower limb injuries but can lead to upper limb strain with extended use. Spring-loaded crutches offer a potential solution, yet they are rarely tested in clinical settings. This study developed spring-loaded crutches with an integrated force-measuring system to analyze gait dynamics. Three prototypes, each with different spring constants (k), were tested. To measure ground reaction force (GRF), a Nylamid cover was around the crutch stem. Two participants with different weights completed a 15-m route using both the designed spring-loaded and standard crutches. Findings showed that spring-loaded crutches increased mean GFR and impulse, with the prototype matched to the user’s weight yielding the best results. The study’s findings suggest that when properly adjusted to the user’s weight, spring-loaded crutches can offer significant improvements in gait, which may have important implications for the design of mobility assistive devices. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-dd92408662a84e39a243f371d1808463 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1424-8220 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Sensors |
| spelling | doaj-art-dd92408662a84e39a243f371d18084632025-01-24T13:48:24ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202025-01-0125229610.3390/s25020296Prototype of a Spring-Loaded Module for Axillary CrutchesDalia Danely Méndez-Gómez0Arturo Minor-Martínez1Salvador Montoya-Alvarez2Fernando Pérez-Escamirosa3Jessica Cantillo-Negrete4Bioelectronics Section, Department of Electrical Engineering, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (CINVESTAV–IPN), Av. IPN 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Mexico City 07360, MexicoBioelectronics Section, Department of Electrical Engineering, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (CINVESTAV–IPN), Av. IPN 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Mexico City 07360, MexicoInstitute of Applied Sciences and Technology (ICAT), National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Circuito Exterior S/N, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, MexicoInstitute of Applied Sciences and Technology (ICAT), National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Circuito Exterior S/N, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, MexicoDivision of Research in Clinical Neuroscience, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra, Mexico City 14389, MexicoAxillary crutches assist people with lower limb injuries but can lead to upper limb strain with extended use. Spring-loaded crutches offer a potential solution, yet they are rarely tested in clinical settings. This study developed spring-loaded crutches with an integrated force-measuring system to analyze gait dynamics. Three prototypes, each with different spring constants (k), were tested. To measure ground reaction force (GRF), a Nylamid cover was around the crutch stem. Two participants with different weights completed a 15-m route using both the designed spring-loaded and standard crutches. Findings showed that spring-loaded crutches increased mean GFR and impulse, with the prototype matched to the user’s weight yielding the best results. The study’s findings suggest that when properly adjusted to the user’s weight, spring-loaded crutches can offer significant improvements in gait, which may have important implications for the design of mobility assistive devices.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/2/296ground reaction force (GRF)gaitkinetic parameterspring-loadedaxillary crutches |
| spellingShingle | Dalia Danely Méndez-Gómez Arturo Minor-Martínez Salvador Montoya-Alvarez Fernando Pérez-Escamirosa Jessica Cantillo-Negrete Prototype of a Spring-Loaded Module for Axillary Crutches Sensors ground reaction force (GRF) gait kinetic parameter spring-loaded axillary crutches |
| title | Prototype of a Spring-Loaded Module for Axillary Crutches |
| title_full | Prototype of a Spring-Loaded Module for Axillary Crutches |
| title_fullStr | Prototype of a Spring-Loaded Module for Axillary Crutches |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prototype of a Spring-Loaded Module for Axillary Crutches |
| title_short | Prototype of a Spring-Loaded Module for Axillary Crutches |
| title_sort | prototype of a spring loaded module for axillary crutches |
| topic | ground reaction force (GRF) gait kinetic parameter spring-loaded axillary crutches |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/25/2/296 |
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