Abstract
Reported is the research conducted over the period October 1967 to September 1971 in developing comprehensive prosthetic systems for through-thigh amputees. The introduction details objectives of the research and indicates the limitations of the 'state of the art'. Rehabilitation of amputees under the Rational Health Scheme is outlined and terms commonly used in the 'field' are defined. The first chapter gives a brief history of external prosthetics from antiquity to the present and earmarks major advancements. Chapter two describes the basic anatomy of the leg and continues in the next two chapters to discuss the above-knee amputation stump and its compatibility with the various socket designs. Chapter five deals with the classification of prosthetic legs. Chapter six, seven and eight describes the locomotor mechanism, the techniques of gait analysis, and how the data is used to design functional replacements and to observe these mechanisms clinically. This leads to a discussion of the curves obtained from the gait analysis data. Chapter ten lists the anthropometry and introduces in the next chapter the dynamics of the lower extremity where the 'ideal' functions and equations of motion of the knee are derived. Chapter twelve deals with knee control mechanisms and discusses how the developed mechanisms approach the 'ideal'. In Chapter thirteen the functions of the ankle and foot are described in conjunction with the design and modes of control of the replacement devices. Chapter fourteen deals with the structural elements of the prosthesis and this leads in the next chapter to the strength requirements. Chapter sixteen details the mechanical testing conducted on the 'hardware developed', description of the latter being the subject of the final chapter. The appendices are presented in a second volume and includes descriptions of the conventional limbs currently on general prescription in the United Kingdom. Copies of internal reports relevant to the subject matter are also included, some of them earlier than October 1967. Copies of all patent applications are included for reference, as well as published articles. Finally, presented in volume three is a complete set of engineering details including general arrangements of the devices manufactured. This final volume, however, is intended only for reference purposes.