Robotic Cadaveric Gait Simmulator

Project goal: To create a gait simulator to study how changes in foot alignment resulting from surgery or fractures affect pressure in foot joints. Realistic gait is achieved by simulated muscle contractions created by linear actuators attached to each of four tendons. The system consists of the material testing system, the actuator assembly, and the computer software program that controls actuator sequencing. The material testing system provides axial loading on the foot during the simulated gait cycle. The system includes a graphical user interface that creates flexibility by allowing changes to amplitude of force applied by actuators, speed of actuator loading,and synchronization of the gait simulator and actuator control systems.