Application of external forces on an active orthosis

The authors examined the effect of external forces applied on the surface of the lower extremities for the case of missing quadriceps. They developed a computer model using engineering modelling software for the lower extremities so one can locate the origin, insertion and effective origins of the lower limb muscles using previous anthropometric data. The earlier muscle models are used to compute the musculotendon forces. The first 24% of the gait cycle is considered. The muscle forces generated by rectus femoris and vasti are computed. Then, the patients without quadriceps are considered on the same model and single linear electro-mechanical actuator `artificial muscle´ is applied to compensate the effect of lost muscles for the early stance of the gait cycle. The validity of the suggested rehabilitation schemes is verified