Abstract
The ability to easily design and manufacture prosthetic feet with novel design characteristics has great potential to improve amputee rehabilitation and care. This study presents a framework using topology optimization methods to develop new prosthetic feet to be manufactured using selective laser sintering. As an example application, the framework was used to generate a prosthetic foot that minimizes material usage while trying to replicate the stiffness characteristics of a commercially available carbon fiber foot. The solution was validated using finite element methods to verify the foot's loading response, and a prototype was manufactured. The result was a novel foot design that with future design modification has the potential to improve amputee gait by providing energy storage and return and reducing prosthetic weight.
Original language | English (US) |
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Title of host publication | 20th Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium, SFF 2009 |
Publisher | University of Texas at Austin (freeform) |
Pages | 607-619 |
Number of pages | 13 |
State | Published - Jan 1 2009 |
Event | 20th Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium, SFF 2009 - Austin, TX, United States Duration: Aug 3 2009 → Aug 5 2009 |
Other
Other | 20th Annual International Solid Freeform Fabrication Symposium, SFF 2009 |
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Country/Territory | United States |
City | Austin, TX |
Period | 8/3/09 → 8/5/09 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Surfaces, Coatings and Films
- Surfaces and Interfaces