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Mapping Lower-Limb Prosthesis Load Distributions Using a Low-Cost Pressure Measurement System

BACKGROUND: In the UK 55,000 people live with a major limb amputation. The prosthetic socket is problematic for users in relation to comfort and acceptance of the prosthesis; and is associated with the development of cysts and sores. OBJECTIVES: We have developed a prototype low-cost system combinin...

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Autores principales: Hopkins, Matthew O., Turner, Shruti, Vaidyanathan, Ravi, McGregor, Alison
Formato: Online Artículo Texto
Lenguaje:English
Publicado: Frontiers Media S.A. 2022
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9247243/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35782578
http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmedt.2022.908002
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author Hopkins, Matthew O.
Turner, Shruti
Vaidyanathan, Ravi
McGregor, Alison
author_facet Hopkins, Matthew O.
Turner, Shruti
Vaidyanathan, Ravi
McGregor, Alison
author_sort Hopkins, Matthew O.
collection PubMed
description BACKGROUND: In the UK 55,000 people live with a major limb amputation. The prosthetic socket is problematic for users in relation to comfort and acceptance of the prosthesis; and is associated with the development of cysts and sores. OBJECTIVES: We have developed a prototype low-cost system combining low-profile pressure sensitive sensors with an inertial measurement unit to assess loading distribution within prosthetic sockets. The objective of this study was to determine the ability of this prototype to assess in-socket loading profiles of a person with an amputation during walking, with a view to understanding socket design and fit. METHODS: The device was evaluated on four transtibial participants of various age and activity levels. The pressure sensors were embedded in the subject's sockets and an inertial measurement unit was attached to the posterior side of the socket. Measurements were taken during level walking in a gait lab. RESULTS: The sensors were able to dynamically collect data, informing loading profiles within the socket which were in line with expected distributions for patellar-tendon-bearing and total-surface-bearing sockets. The patellar tendon bearing subject displayed loading predominately at the patellar tendon, tibial and lateral gastrocnemius regions. The total-surface bearing subjects indicated even load distribution throughout the socket except in one participant who presented with a large socket-foot misalignment. CONCLUSIONS: The sensors provided objective data showing the pressure distributions inside the prosthetic socket. The sensors were able to measure the pressure in the socket with sufficient accuracy to distinguish pressure regions that matched expected loading patterns. The information may be useful to aid fitting of complex residual limbs and for those with reduced sensation in their residual limb, alongside the subjective feedback from prosthesis users.
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spelling pubmed-92472432022-07-02 Mapping Lower-Limb Prosthesis Load Distributions Using a Low-Cost Pressure Measurement System Hopkins, Matthew O. Turner, Shruti Vaidyanathan, Ravi McGregor, Alison Front Med Technol Medical Technology BACKGROUND: In the UK 55,000 people live with a major limb amputation. The prosthetic socket is problematic for users in relation to comfort and acceptance of the prosthesis; and is associated with the development of cysts and sores. OBJECTIVES: We have developed a prototype low-cost system combining low-profile pressure sensitive sensors with an inertial measurement unit to assess loading distribution within prosthetic sockets. The objective of this study was to determine the ability of this prototype to assess in-socket loading profiles of a person with an amputation during walking, with a view to understanding socket design and fit. METHODS: The device was evaluated on four transtibial participants of various age and activity levels. The pressure sensors were embedded in the subject's sockets and an inertial measurement unit was attached to the posterior side of the socket. Measurements were taken during level walking in a gait lab. RESULTS: The sensors were able to dynamically collect data, informing loading profiles within the socket which were in line with expected distributions for patellar-tendon-bearing and total-surface-bearing sockets. The patellar tendon bearing subject displayed loading predominately at the patellar tendon, tibial and lateral gastrocnemius regions. The total-surface bearing subjects indicated even load distribution throughout the socket except in one participant who presented with a large socket-foot misalignment. CONCLUSIONS: The sensors provided objective data showing the pressure distributions inside the prosthetic socket. The sensors were able to measure the pressure in the socket with sufficient accuracy to distinguish pressure regions that matched expected loading patterns. The information may be useful to aid fitting of complex residual limbs and for those with reduced sensation in their residual limb, alongside the subjective feedback from prosthesis users. Frontiers Media S.A. 2022-06-17 /pmc/articles/PMC9247243/ /pubmed/35782578 http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmedt.2022.908002 Text en Copyright © 2022 Hopkins, Turner, Vaidyanathan and McGregor. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
spellingShingle Medical Technology
Hopkins, Matthew O.
Turner, Shruti
Vaidyanathan, Ravi
McGregor, Alison
Mapping Lower-Limb Prosthesis Load Distributions Using a Low-Cost Pressure Measurement System
title Mapping Lower-Limb Prosthesis Load Distributions Using a Low-Cost Pressure Measurement System
title_full Mapping Lower-Limb Prosthesis Load Distributions Using a Low-Cost Pressure Measurement System
title_fullStr Mapping Lower-Limb Prosthesis Load Distributions Using a Low-Cost Pressure Measurement System
title_full_unstemmed Mapping Lower-Limb Prosthesis Load Distributions Using a Low-Cost Pressure Measurement System
title_short Mapping Lower-Limb Prosthesis Load Distributions Using a Low-Cost Pressure Measurement System
title_sort mapping lower-limb prosthesis load distributions using a low-cost pressure measurement system
topic Medical Technology
url https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9247243/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/35782578
http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fmedt.2022.908002
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