Physically impaired people have many difficulties in adjusting to prosthetic equipment; in fact, studies show that because of the weight of regular prosthetic feet, they consume 23% more energy while walking than people who walk on their natural feet. Another well known fact is that everybody generates kinetic energy while moving, walking, in this case. This is why researchers at the University of Michigan are trying to create an artificial foot, which should transfer that energy to the person using a prosthetic foot.

“Humans normally dissipate significant energy during walking, largely at the transitions between steps. The ankle then acts to restore energy during push-off, which may be the reason that ankle impairment nearly always leads to poorer walking economy.”

All the major discomfort that amputees feel and have to deal with while trying to regain mobility comes from the ankles’ natural push-off move, so this is the innovative and ingenious part about University of Michigan's prototype. It simply reproduces the ankle's strength while moving. Researchers say that by using a simple one Watt battery, their prototype can recycle energy that other artificial legs of this sort can't. Not only that, but it will also be extremely light compared with the others, making it an extremely comfortable solution for people that need it.

The battery powers a specially designed microprocessor, which can understand the data from the sensors and can actually recycle the kinetic energy into positive ankle work. The net metabolic energy reduction is of 14%. This means that the prototype can actually improve the chances of an ankle-impaired person to regain 14% more mobility, without having to drag their feet or feel the discomfort of cumbersome prosthetics.

The Seattle Veterans Affairs Medical Center is currently testing the prosthetic leg and we cannot give you any information regarding a commercial release. Highly detailed information can be found on PlosOne.


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