Proof of Concept of a Polycentric Joint Orthosis with 2 DoF for Elderly People with Motor Impairment of the Knee Joint

Currently, osteoarthritis of the knee is the most common degenerative disease suffered by older adults. If left untreated, it can worsen to the point of causing increased wear and stiffness of the joints. Consequently, this prevents the freedom to extend and flex the knee and brings discomfort and pain when making the slightest movement with the leg. The only solution, in cases of this magnitude, is bone surgery, followed by long-term rehabilitation that depends on the reaction of the body of each patient. Because of this, the solution we propose in this report is to design a 2 DoF active orthosis with a polycentric joint for knee flexion and extension in older adults. This device will allow limiting flexion and extension movements in order to avoid increased wear of the knee and decrease the work of the knee during a regular walking cycle. For the development of this project, different stages were developed progressively, from the definition of the problem to the elaboration of the prototype. Different tools were used, such as a Mind Map, Lotus Diagram, search equations, and Gantt diagram.