Date of Award

Spring 2025

Document Type

Thesis

Publisher

Santa Clara : Santa Clara University, 2025

Departments

Bioengineering; Mechanical Engineering

First Advisor

Michael Abbott

Second Advisor

Unyoung Kim

Third Advisor

Prashanth Asuri

Abstract

Lower limb amputation affects over 2.3 million individuals in the U.S., with peripheral vascular disease and diabetes as leading causes. Prosthetic rehabilitation is critical for restoring mobility, yet barriers like therapist shortages, cost, and inconsistent at-home training limit patient outcomes. This thesis presents the design, development, and testing of a bilateral gait training device that addresses these challenges by providing real-time haptic feedback and quantitative gait metrics for at-home rehabilitation. The device integrates force-sensitive resistors embedded in insoles to monitor plantar pressure distribution, haptic actuators (eccentric rotating mass motors) mounted on thigh straps to deliver corrective feedback, and an Arduino-based data logging system to track progress. Initial testing with non-disabled individuals shows an 8% relative improvement in side-to-side weight distribution evenness and confirms the device’s ability to detect changes in the gait due to artificial perturbations.

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