Executive Summary
The Niagara foot is a novel low cost
energy-return prosthetic foot intended to provide improved
performance in lower limb amputees. It was developed as part
of the landmine victims relief programme of The Canadian
Centre for Mine Action Technology (CCMAT) by Niagara Prosthetics
and Orthotics (St. Catherines, ON) and Queen’s University
(Kingston, ON) with the collaboration of Dupont Engineering
Polymers (Wilmington, DE) and Recto Molded Products (Cincinnati,
OH).
With the assistance of, the Thailand
Mine Action Centre (TMAC) a study team visited Aranyaprathet
Hospital from November
1, 2001 to November 10, 2001 to perform a clinical trial
of the device. The study was conducted on 15 volunteer subjects
to get early feedback on the compatibility of the foot with
existing prosthetic systems and to determine the initial
performance of the device.
All patients were initially wearing
SACH (Solid Ankle Cushion Heel) feet and Niagara feet were
retrofitted onto the existing prosthesis systems. Although
the Niagara foot could be fitted to wooden systems, it should
not be used due to the high force demands on the connecting
bolt assembly.
From the study it was observed that
most patients were able to appreciate the biomechanical differences
of
the Niagara foot compared to the SACH design. Although there
was some initial concern regarding stability, these concerns
likely reflected the flexibility of the Niagara foot and
the energy return capabilities of it. The mechanism of the
energy return system also explains comments regarding the
Niagara foot such as “lighter” and softer”.
The main challenge with the Niagara
foot is cosmesis. Although patients were satisfied with the
performance of the Niagara
foot, they were generally dissatisfied with the foot’s
ability to fit inside their current footwear. |
