Prototype of a Spring-Loaded Module for Axillary Crutches
Dalia Danely Méndez-Gómez,
Arturo Minor-Martínez,
Salvador Montoya-Alvarez,
Fernando Pérez-Escamirosa,
Jessica Cantillo-Negrete
Affiliations
Dalia Danely Méndez-Gómez
Bioelectronics Section, Department of Electrical Engineering, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (CINVESTAV–IPN), Av. IPN 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
Arturo Minor-Martínez
Bioelectronics Section, Department of Electrical Engineering, Center for Research and Advanced Studies of the National Polytechnic Institute (CINVESTAV–IPN), Av. IPN 2508, Col. San Pedro Zacatenco, Mexico City 07360, Mexico
Salvador Montoya-Alvarez
Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (ICAT), National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Circuito Exterior S/N, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Fernando Pérez-Escamirosa
Institute of Applied Sciences and Technology (ICAT), National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), Circuito Exterior S/N, Ciudad Universitaria, Coyoacán, Mexico City 04510, Mexico
Jessica Cantillo-Negrete
Division of Research in Clinical Neuroscience, Instituto Nacional de Rehabilitación Luis Guillermo Ibarra, Mexico City 14389, Mexico
Axillary crutches assist people with lower limb injuries but can lead to upper limb strain with extended use. Spring-loaded crutches offer a potential solution, yet they are rarely tested in clinical settings. This study developed spring-loaded crutches with an integrated force-measuring system to analyze gait dynamics. Three prototypes, each with different spring constants (k), were tested. To measure ground reaction force (GRF), a Nylamid cover was around the crutch stem. Two participants with different weights completed a 15-m route using both the designed spring-loaded and standard crutches. Findings showed that spring-loaded crutches increased mean GFR and impulse, with the prototype matched to the user’s weight yielding the best results. The study’s findings suggest that when properly adjusted to the user’s weight, spring-loaded crutches can offer significant improvements in gait, which may have important implications for the design of mobility assistive devices.
