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Problem
Problem
Many individuals with multiple sclerosis (MS) experience hip flexor weakness, ankle dorsiflexion issues, and fatigue that make it difficult to clear the foot during the swing phase of the gait cycle. This often results in tripping and falls, reducing mobility and independence. Current assistive devices are often bulky, difficult to don and doff (up to 20 minutes), and often aesthetically unappealing, leading to low patient compliance. Patients need a solution that is lightweight, discreet, easy to use, and effective at reducing tripping risk.
Approach
Approach
Working with my team, I co-designed a wearable device integrated into compression leggings with sewn-in resistance bands and knee straps. The system reduces the force required from the hip flexors during the swing phase, helping patients achieve better foot clearance.
I contributed to the device design and fabrication, sewing resistance bands into athletic leggings and optimising placement based on musculoskeletal feedback from clinicians. I also worked on prototype evaluation methods, including donning/doffing time trials, simulated gait testing, and development of a performance specification to measure reductions in hip flexor force requirements.
Our design emphasized ease of use, comfort, and aesthetics, ensuring the device could be worn under clothing and donned in less than three minutes (a significant improvement over existing options).
Solution
Solution
The final prototype demonstrated promising results:
• Reduced hip flexor effort during swing phase, promoting safer foot clearance.
• Quick donning/doffing (<3 minutes vs. 20 minutes for current devices).
• Lightweight and discreet design, wearable beneath clothing.
• Cost-effective prototype (<$70 raw materials, scalable under $300).
The device showed how a simple but well-engineered device can enhance gait safety while improving patient comfort, usability, and compliance. However, after further user need assessment, future iterations included adjustable resistance, improved biomechanical alignment, and additional ease of doning and doffing.
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