LeTourneau University engineering students won third place in the annual RESNA Student Design Challenge in biomedical engineering.
The student team of Ben Tham (2020 LETU graduate- mechanical engineering), Andrew Spencer (2020 LETU graduate- biomedical engineering), Ali Hawkins (2020 LETU graduate- biomedical engineering), Thai Quach (2020 LETU graduate- mechanical engineering), Ben Coe (LETU senior- mechanical engineering) and faculty sponsor, Dr. Ko Sasaki presented their design at the annual RESNA convention that was held virtually in September due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The award-winning submission addresses problems with prosthetic knees on the market today and their inability to provide adequate stability, their lack of knee biomechanics and their cost. The design, called the PERK knee incorporates mechanisms and control systems in a more affordable high function knee joint.
The RESNA Student Design Challenge (SDC) is an annual competition that showcases creative and innovative assistive technology designs that help people with disabilities function more independently. Student teams represent a wide variety of disciplines including mechanical, electrical, and biomedical engineering; computer information science; architecture; and physical and occupational therapy. Entries are judged on originality, quality of design, and usefulness to persons with disabilities.
