Adjustable Liners and Sockets for Prosthetic Devices

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Ras  Labs’ Synthetic  Muscle™  will  allow  amputees  to  continue  their  active  lives  without  needing  to adjust the fitting of their prosthetic device(s) throughout the day.  This technology promises to resolve major  issues  facing  amputees,  most  notably  the  pain  of  prosthetic  slippage  and  tissue  breakdown. Synthetic  Muscle™,  comprising  electroactive  polymers  (EAPs),  actively  expand  or  contract  at  low voltages, while offering impact resistance and pressure sensing, all in one integrated solution.   The main  objectives  of  this  project  is  to  determine  the  feasibility  of  the  EAP  pads  incorporated  into prosthetic  liners  or  sockets  and  to  create  prototypes  of  these  EAP  based  shape-morphing  pad systems.  In collaboration with UPI, testing of these EAP based pads located in strategic areas of the socket  was  initiated  with  customers  (BK  and  AK)  for  evaluation  and  feedback.   Characterization  of Synthetic  Muscle™  as  dual  use  pressure  sensors  was  initiated.   This  is  a  continuation  Ras  Labs’ dynamic prosthetic pad project, which demonstrated how the volume of the EAP can be changed from applying a low voltage and operating temperatures for use in adjustable prosthetic liners and sockets 1-8. Abstract PDF  Link: https://jps.library.utoronto.ca/index.php/cpoj/article/view/32048/24462 How to cite: Rasmussen L, Rodriguez S, Bowers M, Smith D, Martino G, Rizzo L, Scheiber C, d’Almeida J,  Dillis C. Adjustable Liners and Sockets for Prosthetic Devices. CANADIAN PROSTHETICS & ORTHOTICS JOURNAL, VOLUME 1, ISSUE 2, 2018; ABSTRACT, POSTER PRESENTATION AT THE AOPA’S 101ST NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, SEPT. 26-29, VANCOUVER, CANADA, 2018. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33137/cpoj.v1i2.32048 Abstracts were Peer-reviewed by the American Orthotic Prosthetic Association (AOPA) 101st National Assembly Scientific Committee.  http://www.aopanet.org/