Towards improved user comfort with knowledge-based design: integration of sensor system in a smart prosthetic socket
S. Andújar Arias (TU Delft - Industrial Design Engineering)
Yu Song – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Emerging Materials)
Vahid Moosabeiki – Mentor (TU Delft - Biomaterials & Tissue Biomechanics)
Mohammad J. Mirzaali – Mentor (TU Delft - Biomaterials & Tissue Biomechanics)
More Info
expand_more
Other than for strictly personal use, it is not permitted to download, forward or distribute the text or part of it, without the consent of the author(s) and/or copyright holder(s), unless the work is under an open content license such as Creative Commons.
Abstract
Prosthetic socket design and fit are key for a successful amputee rehabilitation and comfort, directly influencing patient satisfaction and quality of life. However, there is a lack of quantitative data on stump pressure distribution and how it changes over time, which could greatly contribute to the efforts of designers, prosthetists and doctors to improve patient comfort.
This study explores the use of Force Sensitive Resistors (FSRs) to measure and visualize stump pressure distribution, specifically for transtibial prosthetic sockets. The research involves testing an experimental prototype equipped with FSRs on a cyclic loading machine, followed by a comparison of the results with a simulation.
The findings indicate that the highest loads are registered by FSRs positioned at the bottom of the stump and below the knee. Some anomalies were observed, potentially due to specific geometric features of the prototype and the way the load was applied during testing.
Overall, the experimental data suggests that FSRs are effective for measuring stump pressure distribution. However, further testing with increasingly complex load cases is necessary to validate the sensors' reliability.
In conclusion, FSRs demonstrate significant potential for enabling knowledge-based designs focused on patient well-being. Through the course of this project, valuable design insights and requirements for integrating sensors into prosthetic sockets were identified. Moreover, this systematic sensor testing approach can be applied to explore and compare between other pressure sensors.