Improvements in the function of prosthetic devices for persons having above-knee amputations must involve both the development of better artificial knee mechanisms and the establishment of a more complete cybernetic link between the amputee and his prosthesis. To facilitate progress in both of these areas, a man-interactive simulator system has been designed and constructed. The simulator system is analogous to flight simulators used to evaluate aircraft and spacecraft controllability. Essentially, an amputee wears an above-knee prosthesis with dimensions and weight similar to typical artificial legs, but having a knee mechanism that is controlled by an analog and/or digital simulation of proposed hardware and control schemes. Through use of the system, prosthetic knee mechanism designs can be evaluated and refined before the hardware is developed. The simulator will first be used in a feasibility study of proportional, electromyographically- controlled knee mechanisms.

An electro-hydraulic servo actuator is used to control the simulator prosthesis knee joint. A performance evaluation has shown that the actuator capabilities allow simulation of existing knee mechanisms and expected proposed designs. Initial tests show that the actuator is easily interfaced with bioelectric signals.