An interdisciplinary team of researchers at the University of Southampton in the UK are developing a prototype of the world’s first ‘intelligent’ prosthesis liner with integrated pressure sensors, which could help to relieve pain and discomfort experienced by amputees as a result of poorly fitting replacement lower limbs.

Sensors for the device can measure the pressure and pulling forces at the interface between a patient’s residual limb and the socket of their prosthesis. Excessive pressure can cause tissue damage, leading to painful sores. Socket fit and comfort are the biggest determining factor in whether the patient will use the prosthesis.

The team hopes that their intelligent liner will be the first step leading to a fully automatic, self-adjusting smart socket interface for amputees.

Synthetic liners provide some cushioning against the hard socket, but currently, they say, there is no convenient way to accurately measure the critical loads at this interface in the clinic. Without this information, prosthetists face difficulty in fitting replacement limbs and the outcomes for patients are variable.

The intelligent liner will allow clinicians to quickly and accurately assess and optimize socket fit at the outset. The wireless interface will also monitor changes to socket fit over time, alerting patients of the need to adjust their socket or activities to prevent ulcers from forming.

Source 


Topics:
Medical