Design of an ankle prosthesis for swimming and walking

This study presents a particular mechanical device for lower limb amputees, a prosthetic ankle, designed for swimming and partially for walking in two possible configurations. Experimental static tests are carried out for a compliance according to the standard, in the configuration for walking which is considered the most severe in terms of loading. In parallel, a numerical model is created and validated by a comparison to the experimental test in terms of displacements and strains. The validated FE model is then used for an optimization of the geometry and of the used materials, and to provide a further simulation for the configuration of swimming.