Understanding the design variables that contribute to the response of a prosthetic foot: Part I — Rig design

In this paper the design of a rig capable to simulate the dynamic response of an energy storing and returning composite prosthetic foot during amputee running is considered. It has been assumed that the amputee/prosthesis system can be modelled as a spring/mass system. Therefore the rig has been designed to allow the applied mass, input force and foot contact point of various feet designs to be varied to test this assumption. The rig will allow the design variables that contribute to the response of a prosthetic foot during running to be understood and optimised to improve the foot's performance.