The device, named the Clutch Crutch, attaches to the user's upper thigh and straps around the foot and ankle to provide hands-free support. The device could be used for injuries such as a sprained or broken ankle, an Achilles tear, fractured or broken tibia or fractured or broken foot. In addition to Sadural, co-inventors are Brett Adams, Andrew Fan, Jeffrey Cargill, Sameer Saiya and Junyan Lim, all graduates of Purdue's School of Mechanical Engineering.
"The Clutch Crutch provides great ergonomic and natural movement while keeping pressure away from the injured part of the leg. It also allows the user to retain upper leg strength and knee joint movement," Adams said. "The device is adjustable for different heights and has a gas spring that absorbs shock so there is no immediate force on the leg. These features combined provide a more effective gait for the user."
[...] "We included memory foam cushioning pads under the quad and on the foot holder so there is minimal user discomfort," he said. "The Clutch Crutch is very modular, allowing users to go on different terrain such as flat ground, cement, grass and things like stairs. This device is designed to fit varying heights, weights, shapes and lifestyles."
The Clutch Crutch could also become a 'smart' device with the addition of sensors and an app, Fan said.
A video of the Clutch Crutch in use is available on YouTube.
Makes the wearer look like one of those calves born with extra legs. Is there a better way?
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Saturday March 25 2017, @05:28AM
I'm not sure I trust my life (if I have to run, step on the gas or brake, leap out of the way of something, etc) in the hands of engineers who think "modular" means "can handle different terrain."
It's not like there's a clip-on 'foot' that you can swap for dirt, a ski for snow, a crampon for ice, a wheel for cement. That would be much cooler.
(Score: 1) by RoxTeddy on Saturday March 25 2017, @06:18PM
Can I walk to work sitting down ?
(Score: 1, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday March 26 2017, @03:41AM
e.g. if you slip with normal crutches you might be forced to use your injured foot/leg but in many cases that's preferable to falling. What happens if you slip with this?
How well something fails is often as important as how well something works. Especially when it doesn't look that much less likely to fail than normal crutches.