Dynamic Gait Simulator

The third generation of the Dynamic Gait Simulator is designed to recreate forces in a cadaver shank (distal half of tibia and foot) associated with normal locomotion in living subjects. Andrew Hamel, PhD., a former student of Dr. Sharkey’s was responsible for much of the design and construction of the previous design. Dr. Hamel completed a number of studies with Dr. Sharkey using the DGS while at Penn State. A movie is below that shows an initial trial of the current system. The movie details all of the major subsystems: Kinematics (motion of the “simulated” knee) and simulated muscle actuation. More details about the operation, development and progress of the DGS will be added in the near future.