Assessment of a Microprocessor Ankle for Low Mobility Individuals with Amputation

PROJECT SUMMARYMicroprocessor-controlled ankles have been shown to substantially improve mobility and stability in individuals with lower limb amputation, but these devices are typically only available to higher mobility users due to a lack of scientific evidence to justify insurance reimbursement. As such, many of the individuals with lower limb amputation that have the greatest need for advanced technology are unable to attain it.This Phase I application describes a microprocessor-controlled ankle prosthesis for individuals with lower- limb amputation that adapts seamlessly to varying activities and terrain, including slope walking and standing, stair walking, and highly-uneven terrain walking. As a result of this adaptation, the device is expected, and has been shown in preliminary work, to improve safety and enhance stability and comfort across these terrains.The primary goal of this Phase I proposal is to conduct a preliminary assessment of the value of the proposed prosthesis on lower mobility individuals with lower limb amputation. Such evidence is critical to justify insurance reimbursement, and so it is a vital step in the process of bringing microprocessor technology to individuals at the K2 mobility level. In order to do so, the investigators propose the following aims: 1) adapt the proposed ankle to optimize performance for K2 individuals with lower limb amputation, and 2) perform a pilot study (n=5) to quantify the effectiveness of the proposed ankle as compared to a predicate non-MPC ankle in improving performance for K2 individuals with lower limb amputation.PROJECT NARRATIVE The investigators have developed a novel microprocessor-controlled ankle prosthesis that is able to provide enhanced mobility and stability to higher mobility individuals with lower limb amputation. It is hypothesized that the proposed prosthesis will offer similar benefits to individuals with lower extremity amputation who walk at lower mobility levels. The primary goal of this Phase I proposal is to assess the degree to which the proposed prosthesis can provide benefits to amputee subjects who walk at a K2 level in a series of laboratory tests.