Pilot Study for Patient-cooperative Control Strategies for Actuated Transfemoral Prostheses

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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This pilot study investigates the feasibility of novel control strategies for actuated transfemoral prostheses. Several parameters from gait analysis (including motion-capture and ground reaction force measurements) are analyzed. The subjective perception of prosthetic functionality is captured with a questionnaire.

Detailed Description
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Setting of the study: Conventional prostheses for transfemoral amputees are mostly simple mechanic joints, or have micro-processor-controlled damping. The prototype tested in this study is equipped with a motor that can actively move the knee joint. Therefore, movements like, for example, alternating stair climbing, are possible that cannot be realized with pure mechanical and actively damped prostheses. During level-ground walking, it is hypothesized that less compensatory movements are needed. We have developed an actuated prototypical prosthesis and new control strategies which should facilitate both level-ground walking and stair climbing. Parts of the control strategies have been tested in able-bodied subjects [1]. This control strategy has been extended such that only biological stiffness modulation can be rendered [2]. Hypothesis: Subjects can use our transfemoral prosthesis to walk on level-ground, to climb several steps and to overcome small obstacles without prior training. The user-cooperative control is intuitive and easily learnable. Objective of the study: This pilot study is meant to investigate the general feasibility of novel control strategies for actuated transfemoral prostheses. Parameters of a standard gait analysis, like ground reaction forces and kinematics (using a motion capture system), will be recorded. From this data, gait symmetry, step length, walking speed, and other measures can be calculated. The subjective impression of the user will be evaluated with a questionnaire.

Official Title
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Pilotstudie zu Patientenkooperativen Regelungsstrategien für Aktuierte Oberschenkelexoprothesen

Conditions
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Gait Disorder, Sensorimotor

Intervention / Treatment
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* Device: ANGELAA


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: At least 18 years old Written consent of participant For amputees: regular use of a transfemoral prosthesis For amputees: transfemoral amputation Exclusion Criteria: Bodymass > 100 kg For amputees: mobility class 1 For amputees: no stable residual leg volume For amputees: constrictive contractures

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 18 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Basic Science
Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment
Masking: None (Open Label)


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Experimental: unilateral transfemoral amputees<br> | Device: ANGELAA<br>* Different control strategies with transfemoral prosthesis prototype ANGELAA, developed at the Sensory-Motor Systems Lab, ETH Zurich, not commercially available, only 1 device exists<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change of gait pattern using an actuated transfemoral prosthesis compared to a passive prosthesis |  | Subjects will come to the gait lab for two days. The experiment itself lasts about 1.5 hours per day. |