Transcript ANKLE PROSTHETIC FOR THE LOWER LEG AMPUTEE

ANKLE PROSTHETIC FOR THE LOWER LEG AMPUTEE
TRIATHLETE DURING THE SWIM/TRANSITION EVENT
Hello and good afternoon, my name is David Lyle.
I am a licensed professional mechanical engineer, aspiring
triathlete, and a below the knee amputee.
I will present to you today the technical attributes of a
new ankle prosthesis component that I hope can be
allowed to be used with a prosthesis during the swim
event, thus being taken out of the TRI 5 ParaTriathlete
classification and be permitted to compete with ablebodied athletes and run in and out of the water with
his/her age group; no handler needed.
ANKLE PROSTHETIC FOR THE LOWER LEG AMPUTEE
TRIATHLETE DURING THE SWIM/TRANSITION EVENT
As an amputee, my dream
is to start with the race
pack and run into and
out of the swim event
like everybody else; no
assistance or stopping
required.
ANKLE PROSTHETIC FOR THE LOWER LEG AMPUTEE
TRIATHLETE DURING THE SWIM/TRANSITION EVENT
Current ITU rules do not allow the use of a
prosthetic device in the swim event.
The objective is to illustrate that the use of the
Aqua Transition Ankle does not provide any
advantage over the able bodied athlete, but
will enable the user to;
• Improve mental confidence,
• Acquire natural aquatic signature, and
• Enjoy a safer and more competitive transition.
ANKLE PROSTHETIC FOR THE LOWER LEG AMPUTEE
TRIATHLETE DURING THE SWIM/TRANSITION EVENT
Current
Performance Hurdles
•
•
•
Rough water condition is a
Safety issue for Amputee
without good balance.
Handler’s can become an
obstacle for other athletes
at the water exit.
Amputee confidence is
diminished by dependence
on a handler.
ANKLE PROSTHETIC FOR THE LOWER LEG AMPUTEE
TRIATHLETE DURING THE SWIM/TRANSITION EVENT
Ankle performance capabilities are:
– Withstanding high impact loads (K4 Activity level).
– Hands-free transitioning (kick button) from a
neutral orientation after entering the water, to a
plantar flexion orientation (50°) for swimming.
– Hands-free re-orientation (ground reaction force)
back to the neutral position for transitioning out
of the water.
– Materials are corrosion resistant (Titanium Gr. 5
and 300 series Stainless Steel)
ANKLE PROSTHETIC FOR THE LOWER LEG AMPUTEE
TRIATHLETE DURING THE SWIM/TRANSITION EVENT
Aqua Transition Ankle
ANKLE PROSTHETIC FOR THE LOWER LEG AMPUTEE
TRIATHLETE DURING THE SWIM/TRANSITION EVENT
Ankle/Foot Assembly in
Swim Orientation
Foot shown as example only
ANKLE PROSTHETIC FOR THE LOWER LEG AMPUTEE
TRIATHLETE DURING THE SWIM/TRANSITION EVENT
• How Science was Utilized in the Design
– The use of finite element analysis (FEA) aided
component design and define load path
distribution.
– Selected optimum materials with superior
mechanical properties.
ANKLE PROSTHETIC FOR THE LOWER LEG AMPUTEE
TRIATHLETE DURING THE SWIM/TRANSITION EVENT
Side View Load Path
Load Distribution
Front View Load Path
ANKLE PROSTHETIC FOR THE LOWER LEG AMPUTEE
TRIATHLETE DURING THE SWIM/TRANSITION EVENT
High-performance bearing materials consist of:
– Base plastics
– Fibers and filling materials
– Solid lubricants
• Mechanical properties
– Compressive strength psi 8,700
– Static surface pressure psi 5,075
ANKLE PROSTHETIC FOR THE LOWER LEG AMPUTEE
TRIATHLETE DURING THE SWIM/TRANSITION EVENT
IIGUS Composite Bearing
ANKLE PROSTHETIC FOR THE LOWER LEG AMPUTEE
TRIATHLETE DURING THE SWIM/TRANSITION EVENT
Bearings are homogeneously constructed.
• The base plastics are crucial for wear
resistance.
• Fibers and filling materials reinforce the
bearing to withstand high forces or edge
loads.
• Solid lubricants automatically lubricate the
bearings and reduce friction in the system.
ANKLE PROSTHETIC FOR THE LOWER LEG AMPUTEE
TRIATHLETE DURING THE SWIM/TRANSITION EVENT
Performance Factors; Use of ankle in swim position.
• Mental Focus & Confidence: In order to succeed, the
swimmer needs to have positive thoughts, not just about
the upcoming race, but about themselves in general.
• Confidence in Materials:
– Titanium Grade 5 Compressive yield strength = 141000 psi.
– Titanium Grade 5 Fatigue strength = 74000 psi
• Aquatic Signature: wearing prosthetic legs will provide a
more balanced horizontal position and better dynamic
balance, thus a better position for stroking, which allows
the swimmer to maximize the effect of natural horizontal
moments.
ANKLE PROSTHETIC FOR THE LOWER LEG AMPUTEE TRIATHLETE
DURING THE SWIM/TRANSITION EVENT
• Aerobic Effort: Any lower limb amputee will find it less
physically demanding to swim with a fully plantar flexed
prosthesis, wearing a swimming prosthesis will reduce the
amount of energy expended to move through the water.
• Leverage: The kick is an integrated part of the swimming
body system when it is used in conjunction with the stroke,
and can be very different when separated.
• Maintaining constant Motion: Transition from swimming
posture to a balanced position upon touching the landing
or beachhead, and running out of the water to the (T1) bike
transition area.
ANKLE PROSTHETIC FOR THE LOWER LEG AMPUTEE TRIATHLETE
DURING THE SWIM/TRANSITION EVENT
ANKLE PROSTHETIC FOR THE LOWER LEG AMPUTEE TRIATHLETE
DURING THE SWIM/TRANSITION EVENT
In Conclusion
The Science of utilizing load
path distribution by use
of finite element analysis
(FEA) in conjunction with
optimum material
properties has yielded an
ankle prosthesis
component that will
enable the amputee to…..
Swim & Run
with the Pack.