Design and Validation of a Full Contact Gait Simulator for the Cadaveric Lower Extremity

The projects goal was to create a device to simulate full contact gait in the cadaveric lower extremity. The Contact Gait Simulation System loads specific muscles to recreate anatomical dorsi and plantar flexion of the ankle under axial loading. A system of pneumatic load generation was connected a LabVIEW virtual instrument (VI), which controlled the application of these loads. The loads were roughly based off literature cited EMG data, and further modified from feedback. In addition to controlling the load system, the VI also coordinates external sensor timing. Along with this simulator, software was developed specifically for analyzing pressure data on a large scale. The results showed a plantar pressure scenario very closely associated to live pressure patterns both in timing and load distribution. The system is complete and usable for experimentation; additional calibration of the control programs will lead to the exact mimicking of a select or average gait.

Name thesis:degree_name

Master of Science

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Biomedical Engineering

Year dc:date.available

2006

Author dc:creator

• Iaquinto, Joseph Michael

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Gerald E. Miller
• Dr. Robert S. Adelaar

• muscle
• software
• mobility
• walk
• leg
• movement
• rehabilitation
• Biomedical Engineering and Bioengineering
• Engineering

Statement dc:rights

• © The Author

Identifier

https://scholarscompass.vcu.edu/etd/1114

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarscompass.vcu.edu:etd-2113