Design and Development of an Automated Electromechanical Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis: An Innovative Sensor Based Programmable Device


Authors : Dr. Dhyanika Singh; Dr. Sant Prakash Gautam

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 2 - February


Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/yc2ayau3

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/5hy54298

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26feb901

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.


Abstract : The condition of knee-deficient patients is commonly characterized by quadriceps weakness and knee instability during gait, leading to compensatory walking patterns and reduced functional mobility. Conventional locked knee ankle foot orthoses (KAFOs) provide stance-phase stability but restrict knee flexion during swing and increase metabolic cost. This study aimed to design and develop an Automated Electromechanical Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis (AEMKafo) that ensures stance-phase stability while permitting free knee motion during swing. A custom-molded polypropylene KAFO was integrated with a force sensing resistor, Arduino UNO microcontroller, lithium-ion battery, and a solenoid-based magnetic locking mechanism. Heel contact detection triggered automatic knee locking during stance, while pressure release initiated unlocking to allow swing-phase flexion. The fabricated prototype demonstrated reliable sensing, timely actuation, smooth gait-phase transitions, and stable mechanical engagement during bench testing. These findings confirm the technical feasibility of a sensor-driven stance-control KAFO and support further optimization and clinical validation for knee-deficient patients.

Keywords : Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis, Femoral Neuropathy, Quadriceps Weakness, Stance Control Orthosis, Automated Electromechanical Devices, Gait Analysis, Rehabilitation.

References :

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The condition of knee-deficient patients is commonly characterized by quadriceps weakness and knee instability during gait, leading to compensatory walking patterns and reduced functional mobility. Conventional locked knee ankle foot orthoses (KAFOs) provide stance-phase stability but restrict knee flexion during swing and increase metabolic cost. This study aimed to design and develop an Automated Electromechanical Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis (AEMKafo) that ensures stance-phase stability while permitting free knee motion during swing. A custom-molded polypropylene KAFO was integrated with a force sensing resistor, Arduino UNO microcontroller, lithium-ion battery, and a solenoid-based magnetic locking mechanism. Heel contact detection triggered automatic knee locking during stance, while pressure release initiated unlocking to allow swing-phase flexion. The fabricated prototype demonstrated reliable sensing, timely actuation, smooth gait-phase transitions, and stable mechanical engagement during bench testing. These findings confirm the technical feasibility of a sensor-driven stance-control KAFO and support further optimization and clinical validation for knee-deficient patients.

Keywords : Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis, Femoral Neuropathy, Quadriceps Weakness, Stance Control Orthosis, Automated Electromechanical Devices, Gait Analysis, Rehabilitation.

Paper Submission Last Date
31 - March - 2026

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