CALCULATION OF A DORSIFLEXION ANGLE OF A PROSTHETIC FOOT FOR AMPUTEES BY USING DEVELOPED TACTILE DISPLACEMENT SENSOR

Abstract

This research aims to design, construct, and evaluate a tactile sensor for measuring displacements. The sensor is then employed in a developing computerized displacement measurement in order to assess its potential in sensing and evaluating a dorsiflexion angle of a new dynamic prosthetic foot for amputees. The developed system consists of three main parts namely, the sensor, the data acquisition unit that includes an analogue to digital (ADC) module, and a computer to aid in the processing of acquired data.

  One type of tactile sensors was used in the investigation. That is Potentiometric-based displacement sensors. That sensor provide analogue output signals, hence, to enable its input to the employed computer these signals are converted to digital type by the developed ADC-based module which is interfaced to the computer via the Enhanced Parallel Port (EPP).

  A number of tests were conducted to establish valid calibration of the system. Early experimental results showed that there are matching between the obtained results and the best fit lines when measuring linear displacement and using the traditional calibration method, therefore, the researcher decided to use that developed sensor in measuring the dorsiflexion angle of the new dynamic prosthetic foot and comparing the obtained results with the standard one