CHICAGO — Researchers have found that a wireless load cell sensor can be an efficient way to measure forces that occur within a prosthesis, according to results of an initial assessment presented at the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium.
Tyler Klenow, BS, CPT-ACSM said that results of the force output test, which was used to explore outputs and test for internal validity, showed the Intelligent Prosthetic Endoskeletal Component System [(iPecs), College Park, Warren Mich.) to be an accurate tool compared with a Vicon 3-D Motion Capture System (Oxford, United Kingdom).
“The iPecs turned out to be valid and reliable based on the results of the force output test,” Klenow said. “It measures what it is supposed to measure.”
The test was performed on a unilateral transtibial amputee and a hemipelvic amputee. While wearing the iPecs, the participants made 10 to 40 passes on an 8-m x 1.5-m instrumented walkway with two embedded AMTI force plates.
Kinetic and temporal variables were calculated using a custom script, which used the iPecs Lab center of pressure output to define strides. The steps were then compared with the Vicon system, and the iPecs proved to be accurate.
Tyler Klenow
More research is needed to further validate the various kinetic outputs of the iPecs and to correlate ground reaction force readings to that of intra-prosthetic load cells, according to Klenow.
“Additional research is needed in the area of relating load cell forces to ground reaction forces, and validating the kinetic outputs of the iPecs,” he said. — by Shawn Carter
For more information:
Klenow T. Paper F30. Presented at: American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists Annual Meeting and Scientific Symposium. Feb. 26-March 1, 2014. Chicago.
Disclosure: Klenow is not affiliated with College Park Industries, College Park Electronics or any other company associated with the manufacturing or sales of the iPecs, and does not benefit monetarily from the sale of the device.
