1. Active Ankle Foot Orthotic (AFO)
Diane
Design Project Management

2. Introduction to the Team
Team Members
Mentor
Shane Reardon - (ME) Travis Blais - (ME) Diane Kang - (IE) Austin Frazer – (ME)
Gerald Garavuso
Sponsors
Dr. Lamkin Kennard
Dr. Debartolo
Christopher Sullivan
Everyone: Diane

3. Table of Contents Problem Definition Background Benchmarking
Limitations of Current AFOs
Stakeholders
Affinity Diagram
Summary/Conclusions
Questions
Diane

4. Problem Definition
Lay out roadmap for air muscle-driven active Ankle- Foot Orthotic
Eliminate the condition known as “foot drop”
Diane
Midstance
Foot Drop (Between Propulsive and Contact Phase)

5. Problem Definition Cont.
Benefactors include stroke survivors, those affected by Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and etc.
Promote natural gait
Does NOT include the propulsion stage of gait.
Ultimately identify a group of MSD projects to develop active AFO subsystems.
Austin
The project will concentrate on lifting the foot prior during midswing and dropping it before the contact stage

6. Background Air muscles are capable of lifting weight of human foot
Robo-Ant, hand, Underwater Crab MSD projects have already utilized air muscles in their design
Bountiful data exists characterizing air muscle behavior
A terrain sensing system is already in development (Christopher Sullivan)
Austin

7. Benchmarking
Passive
Active
Travis

8. Limitations of Current AFOs
Doesn’t allow the range of motion for plantar flexion
Only suitable for walking on level surfaces
Bulky/Heavy
Difficult to put on/take off
Must be custom fit
Travis

9. Stakeholders Dr. Debartolo Dr. Lamkin Kennard
Christopher (Chappy) Sullivan
Patients
Medical Professionals (Doctors & Physical Therapists)
Manufacturers
Shane

10. Affinity Diagram R12000 Affinity Diagram Shane

11. Summary/Conclusions
Current AFOs have proven insufficient to patients suffering from foot drop
An active AFO could enable patients to safely travel at variable speeds and terrain
Our job is to identify a group of MSD projects to develop active AFO subsystems utilizing air muscle technology.
Shane

12. Questions?
Everyone