Leg-Up, is a Knee, Ankle, Foot Orthosis(KAFO).
By leveraging semi-autonomous parametric design and manufacture, Leg-Up shifts orthotics from being a medical device and signifier of disability to an accessible, desirable enabler of fully independent mobility.
By embracing technology across design and development, including customizable aesthetic detailing, Leg-Up becomes a proclaimer of a new technological zeitgeist. This is technology that doesn’t encroach on the human spirit but liberates it by democratizing the benefit of standing for those without full use of their lower limbs.
Leg-Up is a product anybody would be proud to own, similar by analogy to the ski industry that produces super-tech solutions (clipped onto limbs) for mobility on snow where use and ownership are social markers of being current, active and technically savvy.
Disability
The World Health Organization (WHO), tells us that disability affects diverse groups of people, it is part of being human and integral to human experience. Globally 16% of the population live with or have experienced a significant disability. People living with disability however die earlier, have poorer health, and experience more limitations and discrimination in everyday life.
They are less, likely to have a post school qualification, a full-time job, own a house or have a partner. The world is not designed for the disabled.
Contemporary Solutions
The market for assistive aids and mobility solutions for those impaired is large and expansive. A common theme, in the design of solutions in this area is compromise:
● One size should fit all.
● Trading off aesthetics for basic functionality.
● Manufacturability over usability.
● Adjustability for size ranges over customization for individuals
The gold standard of mobility is the wheelchair. On the surface it provides low energy input, diverse acceptance, relatively fast transportation, and an existing infrastructure of understanding and acceptance. From the user’s perspective it’s not as easy as it requires a degree of skill and practice to navigate the public domain. Gutters and steps are often impassable or discriminatory – disability access is at the rear of the building.
The Benefits of Standing
The world is set up for standing interactions and navigation. For those who don’t have full use of their legs being able to stand-up has significant advantages, including being able to:
● Use public transport and facilities.
● Navigate the built environment.
● Socialise naturally.
● Talk eye to eye.
● Standing hugs.
Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis (KAFO)
KAFO provides structural support for lower limb disability. More specifically KAFO’s provides postural support for standing and the correct gait for walking. There are several types of KAFO devices with various degrees of articulation and performance. Like most orthotic devices they come with a range of logistic and usability challenges including:
● Discomfort– from pressure sores, breathability, fit and adjustability.
● Poor user experience – difficulties in putting on and taking off, strap tension adjustment.
● Stigma –Poor aesthetic qualities in entry level models, another marker of disability.
● Accessibility– high costs, clinics providing orthotic services are few and far between, with long wait times, and a long and involved fitting process.
The Leg-Up KAFO Strategy
By addressing the above challenges Leg-Up mitigates issues of usability and location to orthotic support. To do this an integrated strategy dealing with product features, performance, elevated levels of usability and design, customisation, and access to and speed of fitment and delivery, was developed.
By integrating modern digital tools and fabrication technologies, individual clients of orthotic services can be scanned remotely with contemporary smartphones using photogrammetry technology available through a wide range of commonly available apps. The phone camera splices photos or video into accurate three-dimensional representations of the client's leg.
This data is then translated from a mesh file by the orthotics service, integrating into design software for semi-autonomous parametric development, scaling, and customisation from preferences the client has supplied including the permeable structure that allows the skin to breathe. With the parametric placement of strapping and latch features added, the design is sent to additive manufacture for the main component builds.
Components are returned to the orthotics service for assembly, detailing and quality assurance prior to dispatch to the client. Fit trials and initial assessment can be done online, or with local service agents (occupational therapists, physiotherapists, or outpatient services).
This rapid development utilising the transfer of digital files from smartphones, actioned semi-autonomous design development significantly democratises the access to sparse orthotics services internationally.
As a systems product Leg-Up can be readily serviced, updated for changing leg shape over time, and when being refreshed can have the aesthetic features updated to the client’s requirements.
The Leg-Up strategy ensures speed in consultation, build and delivery.
Leg-Up Features & Benefits
Leg-Up provides accessible access to orthotic solutions regardless of your location. Rapid digital data translation(scan to fabrication) dramatically shortens Orthopedic clinic wait times. Consequently, high demand Orthotics services are significantly expanded due time savings.
Perforations in support components ensure breathability and reduce weight. The customer specification of these perforation details provide individuals with the ability to aesthetically refine the design of Leg-Up in line with their own preferences.
Off-centre cam and hook latch, with interchangeable strapping provide secure location to the limb. Boa type ratchet buckles provide refined individual adjustment for comfort. Comfort and usability are substantially improved, with the combination of elastic strap and ratchet boa buckle allowing the brace to be loosened for comfort while staying in place. Single-handed adjustment is achieved.
Leg-Up Product and System
By innovating across the KAFO system Leg-Up provides benefits to the end users beyond product design. Leg-Up presents as a modern tech savvy product that allows users to stand and meet the world on their terms.
Project by: George Philp
Contact: g.jlphilp@gmail.com
