Virtual testing laboratory for lower limb prosthesis

This paper presents an environment, named Virtual Testing Lab-VTL, where the orthopedic technicians can test the prosthesis replicating the traditional procedures. It is part of an innovative design framework centered on digital models of the whole patient or of his/her anatomical districts, which constitute the backbone of the whole prosthesis design process. The virtual lab permits to realize a complete amputee's digital model, an avatar, by which it is possible to execute prosthesis set up and evaluate its functionality simulating postures and movements. First, we describe the state of art of techniques used, i.e., virtual humans and motion capture systems. Then, the application of virtual humans for the prosthesis design and simulation is presented as well as preliminary results.