Virtual gait analysis tool to test lower limb prosthesis

Digital Human Modelling (DHM) is becoming a simple way to study the ergonomic behaviour of devices interacting with the human body. In particular, innovative technologies permit to manage big amount of data coming from several IT devices in order to better understand the correlation between technical aspects and human factors. In the medical field DHM can be exploited to combine in a unique application many data types coming from several inputs (e.g. 3D scan, motion capture). In this research work, the attention is focused on the design of lower limb prosthesis around the digital human model of the patient. We present an application, which allows visualizing pressure on patient's limb while evaluating his/her gait in a unique virtual knowledge-guided environment. Such application is conceived to be usable by non IT experts, and all information are directly visualized on the digital human model of the amputee. The first part of the paper describes the platform to design lower limb prosthesis with particular attention on the use of low-cost technologies. Then, the virtual gait analysis tool is described. Finally, tests and conclusion are discussed.