A powered prosthetic knee joint inspired from musculoskeletal system

This paper reports on a powered prosthetic knee joint powered by artificial muscles. A musculoskeletal system integrating artificial and biological muscles was simulated. The gait cycle was divided into seven modes. Based on the results of the simulation, the artificial muscles were pressurized to provide the biological knee torque. Analysis of the gait trials of an amputee showed the timing of artificial muscles was similar to EMG of biological knee muscles. This paper is an initial step forward to implement the concept of biomimetic approach in prosthetic knee technology.