DorsiflexionAssisting Ankle Brace

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Dorsiflexion-Assisting Ankle Brace

• Andrea Albergo
• Thomas Burney
• Lauren Gallagher
• Alice Hammer
• Sheila Powenski
• Ben Yaffe

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Problem Statement

• What
• The design of a ankle brace that assists in
  dorsiflexion, designed specifically for an
  athlete whose desired range of ankle motion is
  greater then a patient with a goal of only
  walking.
• When
• Who
• Design is specifically for Jason Williams, and
  will be tailored for him individually

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QFD
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Product Design Specification

• Product Title
• Dorsiflexion-Assisting Ankle Brace
• Mission Statement
• We will design a ankle brace for Jason Williams
  that will help him run and train on the
  basketball court, through an assisted
  dorsiflexion and cushioned heel strike.
• Customer Needs
• Brace must resist the natural tendency of the toe
  to slap the floor after a heel strike.
• Full range of ankle motion
• Lightweight 2 lbs. or less
• Comfort

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Product Design Specification (cont.)

• Design Requirements
• Performance
• Durable cycle limit gt 106
• Non-Limiting must allow full plantar flexion
• Quick response must pull foot back before next
  step
• Safety
• No protruding parts that could easily get caught
  on other players
• Comfort
• Weight as low as possible
• Operating Environment
• Room temperature, 60-80 degrees Fahrenheit
• Repetitive, highly varying stress
• Service Life
• should last gt15 games/practices without needing
  replacement parts

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Product Design Specification (cont.)

• Competition
• No existing products that enable athletic
  performance in this type of brace.
• Intended Market
• Product designed specifically for Jason Williams,
  if successful the brace could possibly be a model
  for more versatile braces for non-athletic
  patients.
• Cost Prediction
• 150 - 250, plus occasional part replacement
  costs

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Updated Gantt Chart
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Information Gathered

• The Gait Cycle
• Eight stages progressing through a single stride
• Stance Phase 60 gait
• Initial Contact to Pre-Swing
• Hamstrings and dorsiflexors in ankle remain
  active
• Quadriceps and gluteal muscles work to maintain
  stability
• Swing Phase 40 gait
• Initial swing to terminal swing
• Ankle dorsiflexion occurs with the contraction of
  anterior tibialis muscle
• Running Progression of Gait Cycle
• Two periods of double float are substituted for
  the two periods of double support
• Stance time becomes less then swing time

http//www.orthoteers.co.uk/Nrujpij33lm/Orthgait.
htmPHASES
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Information Gathered

• Specific Injury of Patient
• Peroneal Mononeuropathy local damage to a
  single nerve, commonly the peroneal nerve (not
  disease or systemic condition)
• Steppage Gait walking with a foot drop where
  toes hang down and foot slaps on heel strike
• Can be caused by peroneal nerve trauma
• Causes injured person to lift foot excessively
  high to avoid dragging toes
• Causes of Peroneal Neuropathy
• Knee injury or trauma
• Injury during knee surgery

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Concept Generation Idea 1

• Pros
• Less bulky
• Less likely to hinder plantar flexion
• May provide more power for jump
• Cons
• Not best damping solution
• Springs may fatigue
• May not work well for low or changing speeds

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Concept Generation Idea 2
Brace connecting to leg

• Pros
• Most likely to accomplish damping effectively
• Fewer moving parts for wear and tear
• Cons
• More bulk then other two
• Needs lubrication
• May hinder plantar flexion

Weak Spring to lift foot
Plastic Crown attached to shoe
One Way Damper
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Concept Generation Idea 3
Spring loaded pivot point (to return cam to
original location). Electronic Locking mechanism
prohibits the cam from rotating engaging the
spring

• Pros
• No unnecessary force to overcome
• Fewer moving parts
• Cons
• Very intricate design
• Need Electrical Engineering help
• Need data on pressure, etc.

Plastic Crown attached to shoe
Pressure Sensor
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Product ArchitectureSchematic Diagram
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Product ArchitectureClustering
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Product ArchitectureGeometric Layout
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Design Considerations

• Impact standard use hit from side
• High forces jumping, landing, planting
• Varying contacts jogging or walking (heel)
  sprinting (forefoot)
• Sudden forces direction changes
• Hysteresis need instant response
• Sweat
• Temperature

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Kinematics Analysis

• Running motion
• Angular rotation of foot about ankle,
• Relative motion of toes with respect to lower leg
• Relative motion of ankle with respect to knee

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References

• Gait Cycle - http//www.orthoteers.co.uk/Nrujpij3
  3lm/Orthgait.htmPHASES
• Walking/Gait Abnormalities http//health/allrefe
  r.com/health/walking-gait-abnormalities-info.html
• Ankle Foot Biomechanics http//www.orthoteer
  s.co.uk/Nrujpij33lm/Orthfootmech.htm