Prijedlog poboljšanja konstrukcije aktivne ortoze stopala

master's thesis

• Title (english): A proposal to improve the design of an active foot orthosis
• Author: Ana Tomljanović
• Mentor: Aleksandar Sušić (mentor)
• Granter: University of Zagreb; Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Naval Architecture; Zagreb
• Defense date and country: 2022-07-20, Croatia
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: TECHNICAL SCIENCES; Mechanical Engineering

Abstract

Moždani udar, ozljede leđne moždine i razne traume često rezultiraju hemiplegijom te je kod takvog stanja jedan od najvećih problema slabljenje mišića. Kao posljedica oslabljenih mišića često se javlja problem pada stopala. Budući da bolesnik ne može izvesti pokret dorzalne fleksije dolazi do nepravilnog obrasca hoda - brzina hoda se smanjuje, potrošnja energije tijekom hoda je veća te postoji velik rizik od spoticanja. Smanjena mogućnost hoda znatno utječe na kvalitetu života što rehabilitaciju hoda čini neophodnom. Za liječenje pada stopala najčešće se pripisuje ortotsko liječenje. Najčešće korištene ortoze za gležanj i stopalo još uvijek su pasivne ortoze, međutim napretkom tehnologije dolazi do sve većeg razvoja aktivnih ortoza. Znatan napredak postignut je u razvoju aktivnih ortoza za gležanj i stopalo u posljednjih nekoliko godina, ali i dalje ne postoji praktično i mobilno rješenje za širu primjenu. Stoga je cilj ovog rada prijedlog vlastitog rješenja mobilne aktivne ortoze za gležanj i stopalo. Kako bi se bolje razumio problem pada stopala i potrebe korisnika najprije je proučena anatomija donjih ekstremiteta te biomehanika pokreta. Zatim je pregledom znanstvenih radova uočeno da postoje prijedlozi aktivnih ortoza koje zadovoljavaju dio potreba korisnika. Postojeće ortoze detaljno su analizirane i evaluirane te su neke njihove karakteristike iskorištene kao baza za razradu vlastitog rješenja. Ponuđeno konstrukcijsko rješenje je mobilna aktivna ortoza koja osim rješenja problema pada stopala ima mogućnost pomoći i u fazi odguravanja te dodatne stabilizacije. Prednosti ponuđenog konstrukcijskog rješenja su i kompaktnost i dizajn koji doprinose estetskoj vrijednosti proizvoda te smanjuju averziju korisnika prema korištenju ortoze. Budući da su u dijelovima konstrukcije korištena inovativna rješenja, predložene su naknadne iteracije ortoze te eksperimentalno ispitivanje.

Abstract (english)

Stroke, spinal cord injuries, and various traumas often result in hemiplegia, and in such conditions, one of the biggest problems is muscle weakness. As a result of weakened muscles, the problem of foot drop often occurs. Because the patient is unable to perform dorsiflexion, there is an irregular gait pattern - gait speed decreases, the metabolic cost is increased and there is a high risk of tripping. Reduced ability to walk significantly affects the quality of life, which makes walking rehabilitation necessary. Orthotic treatment is most attributed to the treatment of foot drop. The most used ankle-foot orthoses are still passive orthoses. However, advances in technology have led to the increasing development of active orthoses. Significant progress has been made in the development of active ankle-foot orthoses in recent years, but there is still no practical and mobile solution for wider application. Therefore, the goal of this work is to propose a mobile active ankle-foot orthosis. To better understand the problem of foot drop and the needs of users, the anatomy of the lower extremities and the biomechanics of movement was first studied. Then, by reviewing scientific papers, it was observed that there are proposals for active orthoses that meet some of the user's needs. Existing orthoses were analyzed and evaluated, and some of their characteristics were used as a basis for developing own solution. The designed active orthosis in addition to solving the problem of foot drop also can help in the push-off phase and additional stabilization. The advantages of the offered structural solution are the compactness and design, which contribute to the aesthetic value of the product and reduce the aversion of the user to the use of the orthosis. Since innovative solutions were used in parts of the construction, subsequent iterations of the orthosis and experimental testing are proposed.

• Keywords: pad stopala; biomehanika hoda; ortoza za gležanj i stopalo; aktivna ortoza
• Keywords (english): foot drop; biomechanics of human gait; ankle foot orthosis (AFO); active orthosis
• Language: croatian
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:235:036733
• Study programme: Title: Mechanical Engineering; Study programme type: university; Study level: graduate; Academic / professional title: magistar/magistra inženjer/inženjerka strojarstva (magistar/magistra inženjer/inženjerka strojarstva)
• Type of resource: Text
• File origin: Born digital
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2022-07-17 17:11:45