Design of Active Artificial Knee Joint

A passive above knee prosthesis being currently in use does not respond adequately to the needs of daily living activities of an amputee due to its limited functions. Therefore, this study deals with design of an active above knee prosthesis. The essential part of this prosthesis is the knee joint actuator based on active control of basic flexion and extension functions of the knee joint with the DC motor. The failure of a single sensor has catastrophic consequences on control. Small inertial measurement unit adhereing to the sound leg and two electrodes on stump detect the sound leg gesture and stump SEMG. Using echo control scheme for gait control, which modified knee trajectory from sound leg attitude value and SEMG switch signal.