Lower limb prosthesis: Final prototype release and control setting methodologies

The current research activity on prostheses project at the Robotics Laboratory (Mechanics Department, Politecnico di Milano) is carried on in cooperation with Centro Protesi INAIL and STMicroelectronics. The team is both innovative and interesting, owing to the fact that it not only involves a range of specialists but also gives rise to interdisciplinary aspects. They are absolutely essential in project dealing with such complex issues. This Mechanic-Leg project, called Hermes, is an original solution in the field of prosthesis. Main aim of this research is the prototyping of a new kind of mechanical lower limb with an electronic control. The device, resorting to innovatory mechanical and electronic solutions, allows the controller to modify the type of step, passing from a slow to a fast walk, in an easy and intuitive way, taking care of patient's requirements. The Hermes M-Leg cost is comparable to the actual commercial non electronic controlled artificial knees. The distinguishing features of Hermes M-Leg project are an higher awareness in innovative aspects related to medical/biological/engineering research. Then, a pervasive use of cutting-edge technology (electronics, IT, material-related technologies, etc.). The controller architecture is built upon a low memory processing features. The hard analysis and test activity help to model the algorithm for step control. The adaptive behaviour is mostly due to an effective experience in testing and software tuning in cooperation with patients and clinical staff.