Feline Prosthetic for Gait Normalization
Format
SOECS Senior Project Demonstration
Faculty Mentor Name
Huihui Xu
Faculty Mentor Department
Bioengineering
Abstract/Artist Statement
Team Tri-Paws aims to develop a custom leg prosthetic for a tripod feline with a back leg amputation due to injury. The design is focused on flexibility and comfort that will allow for the prosthetic to collapse easily and therefore mimic natural movements when the cat is attempting to stand up or sit down. In order to achieve this, the prosthetic will be made of a polymer that is flexible yet strong enough to provide the support needed for movement. A screw drive motor connected to a spring via a bracket will serve to collapse and expand the prosthetic allowing for the standing and sitting motion. The motor will be controlled via an Arduino microcontroller. The microcontroller program will look for weight input from a piezoelectric sensor and use the sensory signal to control various rotations of the motor. When the client’s weight is detected, the motor will turn clockwise to collapse the prosthetic and simulate sitting; on the other hand, the motor will turn counterclockwise to expand when the weight is removed to allow for the client to stand. Once the prosthetic is either collapsed or expanded, the motor will remain stable to prevent battery drain and excessive strain on the motor. While the client is walking, the motor will remain stationary and the spring will mimic natural compression. The anticipated results are to have a fully-functioning back leg prosthetic that will improve the mobility and freedom lost with the amputation. Ideally the client will be comfortable enough to perform proper adjustment using the leg with little to no trouble.
Location
School of Engineering & Computer Science
Start Date
5-5-2018 3:30 PM
End Date
5-5-2018 4:30 PM
Feline Prosthetic for Gait Normalization
School of Engineering & Computer Science
Team Tri-Paws aims to develop a custom leg prosthetic for a tripod feline with a back leg amputation due to injury. The design is focused on flexibility and comfort that will allow for the prosthetic to collapse easily and therefore mimic natural movements when the cat is attempting to stand up or sit down. In order to achieve this, the prosthetic will be made of a polymer that is flexible yet strong enough to provide the support needed for movement. A screw drive motor connected to a spring via a bracket will serve to collapse and expand the prosthetic allowing for the standing and sitting motion. The motor will be controlled via an Arduino microcontroller. The microcontroller program will look for weight input from a piezoelectric sensor and use the sensory signal to control various rotations of the motor. When the client’s weight is detected, the motor will turn clockwise to collapse the prosthetic and simulate sitting; on the other hand, the motor will turn counterclockwise to expand when the weight is removed to allow for the client to stand. Once the prosthetic is either collapsed or expanded, the motor will remain stable to prevent battery drain and excessive strain on the motor. While the client is walking, the motor will remain stationary and the spring will mimic natural compression. The anticipated results are to have a fully-functioning back leg prosthetic that will improve the mobility and freedom lost with the amputation. Ideally the client will be comfortable enough to perform proper adjustment using the leg with little to no trouble.