Ankle Positioning DeviceFaculty Advisors: Dr. Bawab & Dr. Ringleb
Students: Vasile Grigorita, Dominick Hudson, Jin Hyuk Kim, Bryan Mazac, Christopher Parrish, and Christopher Villaire
Introduction Ankle injuries are one of the most
common injuries. 25,000 Ankle Injuries happen every day
in America. The ankle region consists of three joints
which provide balance, strength, and stability.
Purpose To design a device capable of loading
and positioning the ankle in a closed kinetic chain so that the dynamics of the ankle can be realistically analyzed.
Joint ranges of motion
Plantarflexion/Dorsiflexion Abductor/Adductor Eversion/Inversion
The other two motions are translations in the X and Y planes.
Product Features Easy to use interface
Undergo realistic loading via load cell
Obtain accurate ankle motion analysis.
Minimal machining and cost efficient.
Control Methods
Accelerometer & Gyro
Arduino Software
Lab-View
- Definition
Laboratory Virtual Instrument Engineering Workbench
A system-design platform and development environment for a Visual Programming Language
- Diagram
- Control Panel
Mechanical Design Bearing Selection
Horizontal Translation Side-mount track roller carriage and guide rails 3 internal track rollers per carriage
Vertical Translation Self-lubricated pillow block linear sleeve Chemical-resistant PFTE (Polytetrafluoroethylene) liner
Machining Alignment issues with initial design utilizing base plate welds
Warping Making adjustments after fabrication
Solution Redesign all base plate and alignment sensitive components
Utilize U-channels for transition tiers Assemble components with threaded fasteners
Machining and Assembly Replaced welds with cap screws. Shimmed gap between pillow bearings
and weight plate was added.
The Device Operation Can be operated remotely or by
keyboard inputs Motion can be utilized in series or in
parallel Safety switches will prevent further
injury
Outstanding Tasks
Add an adjustable clamp to the foot plate
Add a joystick or handheld motion sensor to control servos