Ankle-and-foot orthotic tailored for complex foot-ankle injury

I am deeply passionate about prosthetics and furthering our understanding of orthopaedics to improve them. It captivates me how third-party devices enable the body to regain optimal
function despite premature decline or traumatic injury. By exploring how science has given us the ability to reproduce limb functions artificially, one can aim to restore and improve motion. It is this constant need for improvement and pushing the limits of what is already available that allows individuals to have the best possible quality of life.

For my Master's project in Prof. Etienne Burdet's Lab, I have been working on the implementation of an EMG control system for a powered wheelchair. The aim is to give the
user a greater degree of freedom with a more dynamically responsive assistive device. The ideal scenario being that a stimulus results in an action, similar to healthy muscle activation.
I am currently working on signal processing and classification of sEMG and building a simulation environment to test the different iterations of the real-time control algorithms.
This has allowed me to learn skills outside of my previous fields of study such as Python and C plus as well as multi-fusion algorithm methods. I also decided to further my knowledge in
robotics and electronics through my choice of electives such as Application Specific Integrated Circuits and Animal Locomotion and Bio-Inspired Robotics. The latter has enabled me to
acquire in depth understanding of the various mechanisms involved in everyday locomotion and how the different aspects of passive walking can be modelled and tested through
simulations. This has also covered sensory-motor control, where I am currently implementing colour recognition and obstacle avoidance that will be put to the test in an end of the year
robot-race against my peers. These experiences have broadened my knowledge in biomechatronics and helped me appreciate all the skills necessary to produce efficient and
novel devices.
Improving motion for individual with impaired lower limb function has been at the centre of my research throughout my degree. During the academic year of 2021-2022, I was actively
involved in the design and implementation of a metatarsal joint in the already existing Össur Pro-Flex models for my Bachelor's project under Dr. Kedgley's supervision. My team and I
were interacting with both amputees and prosthetics experts, as well as various engineering teams to further grasp the needs on the market and how to account for them in our designs.
We gained a thorough understanding of the gait cycle and the corresponding biomechanical loading and stress patterns as well as the different muscles involved. Our final iteration and
submitted prototype tried to maximise energy storage and return with a spring-damper inspired system that was assembled using extension springs and rubber dampeners
implemented into a hinge unit. These were combined to achieve a greater range of motion and improve stability as desired. To further improve the ESR we considered various material
structures and properties and the region distal to our joint was designed with auxetic structures. The different steps of the design process were modelled with SolidWorks, tested
using finite element analysis before being 3D printed prototype and ultimately, sending the designs to Ossur to be considered for further manufacturing. This allowed me to build up on
the design skills I had acquired when designing and manufacturing a rowing harness for a trans-radial congenital amputee in the GBR Paralympic Pathway.