SBIR-STTR Award

AdveNsys, Inc. will join with Arizona State University to develop a neuromorphic analog system to control an actuated, lightweight, powered ankle-foot orthosis. The neuromorphically actuated orthosis will provide mobility in the battlefield for soldiers with lower-leg wounds or fractures to enable them to be evacuated with minimal medical support. This effort builds upon our expertise in modeling and design of neuromorphic controllers, design of analog hardware, design of robotic variable compliant actuators, and assessment of locomotor function and assistive devices in human subjects. The biologically-inspired controller is based upon our published pattern generating analog circuit design that reproduces physiological behavior by automatically entraining orthosis actuation to the locomotor rhythm and by resetting the controller rhythm in response to external perturbations. A variable compliant actuator to power the orthosis mimics the properties of muscles by cyclically storing/releasing energy and actively modulating compliance through the gait cycle. Human subjects testing will be performed in our rehabilitation motor control laboratory to assess the functioning of the neuromorphic control system and the actuated ankle foot orthosis. The successful demonstration of neuromorphic control of an actuated ankle-foot orthosis will form the foundation for future development of powered orthoses for civilian and military applications

AdveNSys will develop a suite of products to provide new orthotic and prosthetic options for people with lower limb dysfunction or lower limb amputation. We will enhance our biologically-inspired adaptive neuromorphic control systems technology and integrate it with biomorphic compliant actuators, advanced sensor systems, and lightweight orthotic/prosthetic components to produce a suite of products to provide locomotion assistance. These systems will be used for acute-care in combat settings to provide functional bipedal mobility to injured soldiers. In addition, the systems will be used in post-acute and chronic care situations to enable injured individuals to more fully participate in a wide range of activities in military and civilian settings. AdveNSys will partner with clinical, industrial and academic research institutions to design, develop and evaluate this next-generation product suite that promises to revolutionize technology to overcome lower limb dysfunction both in military and civilian settings. The Phase II efforts will help mature the AdveNSys technology and deliver critical engineering models that will serve as the basis for development of production prototypes for mass production. It is a critical step in AdveNSys vision to Advancing Everyday Mobility for the 7.4 million people who currently use assistive technology devices for mobility impairments.

Keywords:
Neuromorphic, Powered Orthosis, Ankle Foot Orthosis, Transtibial Amputtee