Affiliations: [a] University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China | [b] Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering, Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark | [c] Academy for Engineering and Technology, Fudan University, Shanghai, China
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Hongliu Yu, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, China. E-mail: yhl98@hotmail.com.
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Hip disarticulation prostheses (HDPs) are not routinely seen in clinical practice, and traditional hip prostheses rotate around an axis at the front side of the pelvic socket. OBJECTIVE: This study proposes a mechanism to restore the rotation center to the acetabulum of the amputated side and uses comparative experiments with traditional HDP to verify the validity of the novel design. METHODS: A double parallelogram design of HDP based on a remote center of motion (RCM) mechanism was presented in this paper. Optimization was achieved by a genetic algorithm with the maximal integral size and minimal driving force of the mechanism. RESULTS: The prototype was developed by final optimal results and tested by a hip disarticulated amputee. Testing results revealed that the RCM-HDP improved the range of motion of the hip prosthesis by 78%. The maximal flexion of the assorted prosthetic knee was closer to the sound side than a traditional HDP by 15%. CONCLUSION: The proposed RCM-HDP promoted the kinematic performance and symmetry of the hip prosthesis compared to the traditional design.
Keywords: Hip disarticulation, prosthesis, remote center of motion, double parallelogram, genetic algorithm
