Dual-peak cyclic loading for evaluation of lower-limb prostheses

Lower-limb prosthesis (LLP) is critical for the mobility and quality of life of amputees. Ensuring the reliability and durability of LLPs is essential to users’ safety, comfort, and mobility. While the current standard (ISO 10328) for the mechanical test of LLPs has served as a foundation, the sinusoidal cyclic loading method used for fatigue testing does not replicate the actual loading conditions on LLPs during a human walking gait. In normal walking, LLPs are subjected to a dual-peak loading condition with two distinct force peaks at the heel-strike and toe-off phases. Such a cyclic and dual-peak dynamic loading pattern on LLP is essential to test the durability of the LLP effectively and reliably. In this study, two simple and effective dual-peak cyclic loading test apparatuses are designed and built to evaluate the durability and functionality of LLPs. Two loading plates are used to contact the heel and toe of the prosthetic foot to simulate the dual-peak heel-strike and toe-off loadings between the foot and the ground. This dual-peak loading on the LLP is controlled and replicated by adjusting the positions of two loading plates and the actuator stroke to change the contact forces. Experimental results show that the proposed testing apparatuses and procedures can emulate the dual-peak axial loading of the LLP during normal walking gait, providing a more accurate testing method of the dynamic loading condition on LLPs than the current ISO standard.