Alpine Biotech - Project: Ao1

The Ao1, or automatic foot orthosis model 1, is an experimental platform that utilizes a gantry-like system to automatically close a custom foot orthosis (or cast, or other medical device or footwear) around the foot and lower leg of the user using only the downward force. The Ao1's design files were based on designs for a similar machine by Drollestbugle19, one of our founders.

The Ao1 was what really started Alpine Biotech, the idea of a foot cast, orthosis thing that would close around the lower leg and foot of the wearer with little assistance was what started the whole idea, soon concepts like the Mh1 and Ee1 would follow. The Ao1's story started when one of our founders, drollestbugle19, showed us some designs and a working prototype of an "expanding cast" that he designed, and we further improved and expanded the designs to create the Ao1.

The graphic Below, in correlation with the paragraph and labels, illustates how the Ao1 operates while opening and closing.

The Ao1 works when the wearer pushes on the foot plate (A) causing the rack (D) to slide down, witch then makes the lower leg plates (B) (shown in the upward position in the graphic (left), currently in the downward or open position) witch rest atop the leg plate slots (C) to move towards each other where they then connect, and using magnets, stick together, closing around the lower leg of the wearer. Then the wearer takes their foot (now with the Ao1 afixed ) off of the gantry and base (gantry: E, base: D) then, using the tension of the elastic band mounted between points F and G, the rack moves back up. The foot orthosis (white) is now closed over the weaer's foot and lower leg and seprate form the application grantry (green)

The Ao1 may not be the most practical or useful idea, especially in orthotics, but it provides an interesting design to showcase a proof of concept and something to potentially build off of for future experiments in a foot orthosis that can be applied by a single person. The Ao1's term "orthosis" does not specifcically apply to an othosis, but rather as a general term to refer to any piece of footwear, medical or not.

The Ao1 Prototype

Interested in having your own Ao1?

Interested in having your very own Ao1? You can get the STL files free of charge on our Cults3D page, linked here:

Ao1 Automatic Foot orthosis STL files