The goal of this project was to design an assistive device that would serve as an alternative to crutches without requiring use of the patient’s hands. The crutch body is a vertical series of concentric tubes that can be adjusted to fit patients of different heights. It is attached to the bottom of the thigh by tightening Velcro that runs through a thigh support. The thigh attachment and the crutch body are connected with a pin joint, allowing for rotation along the same axis as the knee. Pinned to the crutch body is a short rod that attaches to the calf, enabling users to control where the crutch comes into contact with the ground while walking. Future research could improve on the device’s balance, as that was one issue during testing.

• This report represents the work of one or more WPI undergraduate students submitted to the faculty as evidence of completion of a degree requirement. WPI routinely publishes these reports on its website without editorial or peer review.

Creator

• LeBlanc, Cameron J.
• Luisi, Ryan M.
• Casey, Liam J.

Subject

• Innovation
• Health
• Well-Being

Publisher

• Worcester Polytechnic Institute

Identifier

• 22451
• E-project-050521-192450

Keyword

• Crutch
• Orthotic
• Hands-Free
• Assistive Device

Advisor

• Popovic, Marko B.
• Cobb, Eben C.

Year

• 2021

Date created

• 2021-05-05

Resource type

• Major Qualifying Project

Major

• Mechanical Engineering
• Biomedical Engineering

Rights statement

• In Copyright

Last modified

• 2022-05-16