ISRO creates intelligent, microprocessor-controlled limbs.

Indian Space Research Organization announced on Friday that it had created an intelligent artificial limb as a byproduct of space technology. According to ISRO, it will likely go on sale soon and be up to ten times less expensive, allowing above-knee amputees to walk with ease.

According to a statement from ISRO, these microprocessor-controlled knees (MPKs) give amputees more capabilities than passive limbs that don't employ microprocessors do.

 

"A 1.6 kilogramme MPK has so far allowed an amputee to move around 100 metres in the hallway without much assistance. Work is being done to improvise the performance, "It read.

The National Institute for Locomotor Disabilities (NILD), Pt. Deendayal Upadhyaya National Institute for Persons with Physical Disabilities (PDUNIPPD (D)), and Artificial Limb Manufacturing Corporation of India have signed an MOU with ISRO's Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre (VSSC) to develop these smart MPKs (ALIMCO).

 

A microprocessor, hydraulic damper, load sensor, knee angle sensor, composite knee case, lithium-ion battery, electrical harness, and interface components make up an MPK.

Based on the sensor data, the microprocessor determines the gait state. The stiffness of the system, which is accomplished by a hydraulic damper driven by a DC motor, is changed by the control software in order to obtain the required gait.

 

To increase comfort, walking settings that are specific to amputees can be modified using PC-based software. While walking, the interface graphs the parameters in real time.

The national space agency, which has its headquarters in Bengaluru, stated that the creation of MPK was a multidisciplinary, multi-stage endeavour.

 

Multiple models of the system were created after arriving at a configuration based on the literature and validating it using kinematics analysis to determine the sub-system requirements.

 

Using an engineering model, the design's viability was confirmed. The system was made up of a six-axis load cell, a solenoid valve-based damper, and an aluminium knee case.

The next engineering model included a DC motor-based damper with a spool position sensor, pylon integrated load cell, miniaturised control electronics, and a Graphical user interface for parameter adjustment while the previous model utilised a stepper motor-based damper and composite knee casing.

 

Hydraulic damper, control electronics, and load cell, the limb's subsystems, were evaluated and characterised in stand-alone mode utilising unique setups.

The use of an exo-socket that was specially created for the purpose allowed for an imaginative way to be developed for conducting the walking trials with non-amputees.

The control software may be updated and the parameters could be adjusted through multiple walking experiments with non-amputees.

When the Joint Project Monitoring Committee (JPMC) gave its approval, the gadget was tested with an amputee who had been chosen by NILD to participate in walking trials. NILD and VSSC jointly conducted the testing at the NILD lab. NILD created the socket and fitted the MPK to the amputee. Amputee-specific parameters were optimised by VSSC.

Initial walking tests were carried out with parallel bars for support. The amputee was then able to move around 100 metres in the hallway without much assistance, according to the statement.

According to ISRO, "all the knee sub-systems operated well."

According to the statement, MPKs are currently imported and can cost anywhere between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 60 lakh, depending on their complexity and capabilities.

More intelligence is being added into the system, according to ISRO, to assist the amputee in walking more comfortably over rough terrain.