Fine-Tuning Prosthetics for Paralympic Cyclists
From: Medical Design Technology - 07/15/2016

When you have a prosthetic limb, riding a bike is particularly challenging.
Although there are professional models available that are designed for
cyclists, it's not easy to find an artificial limb that is ideal for
athletes. Since physical limitations vary from cyclist to cyclist, athletes
must have many different versions of these expensive prosthetics made, so
that they can test out which is the most suitable.

Researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Manufacturing Engineering and
Automation IPA in Stuttgart have built a mobile, biomechanical measuring
station and developed a suitable test prosthetic. Coordinated by Dr. Anja
Hirschmuller of the Medical Center at the University of Freiburg, the work
was carried out in collaboration with the Center and the cycling division of
the National Paralympic Committee Germany (DBS). “We can adjust the test
prosthesis perfectly for each person,” explains Fraunhofer IPA scientist
Florian Blab. “For the first time, we’re taking the athletes’ subjective
perceptions to a scientific level.” Before now, it has been up to orthopedic
technicians to adjust each prosthesis by hand.

Read the entire article at:
https://www.mdtmag.com/news/2016/07/fine-tuning-prosthetics-paralympic-cyclists