Design and evaluation of a prosthetic knee joint based on automatic stance-phase lock (ASPL) technology for children with transfemoral amputations

The objectives of this study were to adopt the automatic stance-phase lock (ASPL) technology to a paediatric prosthetic knee, optimize and incorporate the extension assist to the proposed design, structurally and clinically validate the prototype of the knee in a structural testing and single subject pilot study, and use a questionnaire to evaluate its efficacy. Biomechanical models were used to analyze the gait characteristics of the participant with the proposed knee and the conventional knee joint used by the participant in the clinical pilot study. A questionnaire pertaining to the functions and characteristics of the proposed knee joint was administered to the participant. The results of the clinical study indicated that the stance phase performance of the proposed design is comparable to the conventional knee. Questionnaire results revealed participant was very confident with the design, and was able to participate in many activities such as running and playing dodge ball.