SP.718 Developing World Prosthetics
Developing World Prosthetics addresses issues on the basics of human biomechanics, types of disabilities, and available technologies for physical rehabilitation. Topics will focus on prosthetic devices for upper and lower extremities, as well as both developed and developing world techniques for overcoming these disabilities. Multi-disciplinary student teams, with backgrounds in bio-engineering, mechanical engineering, material science and medicine, will work with a mentor to research, design, prototype, and test a viable solution. Projects focus on orthotic and prosthetic devices designs for the developing world, as specified by our partner organizations in India (Jaipur Foot Organization) and Guatemala (Range of Motion Project).
Course Information
| Instructors: | Ken Endo |
| Teaching Assistants: | Pavitra Krishnaswamy, Jared Sartee |
| Semester Offered: | Spring (offered since Spring 2008) |
| Lecture Location: | 4-237 |
| Lecture Times: | MW2-3, F2-4 |
| Units (credit hours): | 2-2-5 |
| Class Size: | 20 students |
| Grading: | P/D/F |
| Resources: | |
Recent Projects
| 2009 | Lego Leg | Affordable transtibial prosthesis assemblable with a set of sheets of carbon fiber and aluminum |
| Prosthetic Hand | Low-cost transradial prosthesis with variable mechanical advantage for closing/opening fingers |
| Shape-and-Roll Foot | Transtibial prosthesis made of PP with an adjustable attachment |
| 2008 | Exo Knee | Low-cost transfemoral prosthesis with mechanism to lock the knee joint during the stance phase and release it during the swing phase |
| Ez Knee | Caliper with a mechanism that enables a user to lock his knee by hand |
| Polio Brace | Caliper with mechanism to lock and unlock the knee in the stance and swing phase, respectively |
