In this paper, we present the design, analysis, and testing of an ankle rehabilitation device (ARD), the purpose of which is to improve the efficacy of ankle joint complex (AJC) injury diagnosis and treatment. The ARD enables physicians to quantitatively measure the severity of an injury. This is done by measuring deficiencies in the joint’s range of motion, as well as force, torque, and power output. Evaluation of the relative degree of recovery over time can also reduce the error associated with current methodologies for rehabilitation, which rely on measurements based on the patient’s verbal response. A Wheatstone bridge circuit is used for the measurement of the various parameters as applied to the blades of complementary rotational flexures; the device is designed to measure motion about three axes of rotation in the ankle joint: pitch, roll, and yaw. A full bridge circuit is applied to each axis of rotation, and the use of multiple axes increases anatomically accurate measurement, enabling characterization of coupled motions. The device has flexibility and a range of motion such that it can be adjusted to take measurements of multiple different degrees of plantar or dorsiflexion of the AJC. The ARD is able to measure both range of motion, force, and torque output simultaneously. Experimental results show that there is significant coupled motion among the ankle joint rotations but that it is highly dependent on a subject’s own physical development.
Skip Nav Destination
Article navigation
March 2011
Research Papers
Design of an Ankle Rehabilitation Device Using Compliant Mechanisms
Edward Sung,
Edward Sung
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Precision Compliant Systems Laboratory,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
, Cambridge, MA 02139
Search for other works by this author on:
Alexander H. Slocum, Jr.,
Alexander H. Slocum, Jr.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Precision Compliant Systems Laboratory,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
, Cambridge, MA 02139
Search for other works by this author on:
Raymond Ma,
Raymond Ma
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Precision Compliant Systems Laboratory,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
, Cambridge, MA 02139
Search for other works by this author on:
Jonathan F. Bean,
Jonathan F. Bean
Harvard Medical School, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation,
Spaulding Cambridge Outpatient Center
, Cambridge, MA 02138
Search for other works by this author on:
Martin L. Culpepper
Martin L. Culpepper
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Precision Compliant Systems Laboratory,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
, Cambridge, MA 02139
Search for other works by this author on:
Edward Sung
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Precision Compliant Systems Laboratory,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
, Cambridge, MA 02139
Alexander H. Slocum, Jr.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Precision Compliant Systems Laboratory,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
, Cambridge, MA 02139
Raymond Ma
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Precision Compliant Systems Laboratory,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
, Cambridge, MA 02139
Jonathan F. Bean
Harvard Medical School, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation,
Spaulding Cambridge Outpatient Center
, Cambridge, MA 02138
Martin L. Culpepper
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Precision Compliant Systems Laboratory,
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
, Cambridge, MA 02139J. Med. Devices. Mar 2011, 5(1): 011001 (7 pages)
Published Online: January 6, 2011
Article history
Received:
August 9, 2010
Revised:
October 21, 2010
Online:
January 6, 2011
Published:
January 6, 2011
Citation
Sung, E., Slocum, A. H., Jr., Ma, R., Bean, J. F., and Culpepper, M. L. (January 6, 2011). "Design of an Ankle Rehabilitation Device Using Compliant Mechanisms." ASME. J. Med. Devices. March 2011; 5(1): 011001. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.4002901
Download citation file:
Get Email Alerts
A Better Way to Visualize the Cervix: A Low-Cost Cervical Cancer Screening Device for LMIC Settings
J. Med. Devices (April 2025)
Comparative Survey-Based Study of Noninvasive Saliva Collection Devices
J. Med. Devices (April 2025)
Related Articles
Ankle Rehabilitation via Compliant Mechanisms
J. Med. Devices (June,2010)
3D Foot Plate For Diagnosis of Abnormal Range of Motion in the Hindfoot
J. Med. Devices (June,2010)
Progress on Clinical Trials and Product Development of a Simple, Inexpensive Feedback Device for Patients Requiring Partial Weight Bearing
J. Med. Devices (June,2008)
Linear and Angular Head Acceleration Measurements in Collegiate Football
J Biomech Eng (June,2009)
Related Proceedings Papers
Related Chapters
The Effect of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury on Tibiofemoral Joint Biomechanics: Under Draw Load
International Conference on Mechanical Engineering and Technology (ICMET-London 2011)
Introduction
Mechanical Blood Trauma in Circulatory-Assist Devices
Backlash
Design and Application of the Worm Gear