2017 marks the 100th anniversary of the elbow crutch patent (US 1244249 A). Since then little has changed about the design in mainstream use and they remain tiring and painful to use. Patients try and address these problems by adding padding to the handles, however this does not address fundamental problems of the forces they place on the body. This project uses a specially designed “variable geometry crutch” to help find the optimal angles for the crutch parts. Testing will be performed in a “gait lab” that uses multiple cameras and a force measuring plate in the floor to analyse the loads on the body. The aim is to come up with a new design that is simple to manufacture but radically improves the patient experience. This work will be completed in collaboration with Dr Thomas Stone at Addenbrookes Hospital.
The picture on the right shows a rendering of Variable Geometry Crutch with interchangeable handle and forearm support.
| Mr. Ian Hosking |
Department of Engineering |
| Dr. Thomas Stone |
Clinical Scientist, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust |
