Capturing prosthetic socket fitment: Preliminary results using an ultrasound-based device

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Prosthetics and Orthotics

Background:

• Acceptance of advanced prosthetic systems is hindered by challenges in fitting prosthetics to individual anatomies.
• Current socket fitting is labor-intensive, manual, and lacks quantifiable diagnostic information, leading to discomfort, instability, and limited range of motion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a diagnostic tool for quantifying relative movement between prosthetic sockets and residual bone during fitting.
• To enable a systematic, reliable, and reproducible socket-fitting strategy.

Main Methods:

• Development of a diagnostic tool utilizing low-cost, high-precision ultrasound transceivers.
• Integration of intuitive visualization software to provide quantifiable socket fitment data.
• Leveraging ultrasound for precise movement tracking relative to a cuff with a transducer.

Main Results:

• The developed diagnostic tool quantifies relative movement between the socket and residual bone.
• Human subject testing demonstrated movement tracking with a Root Mean Square Deviation (RMSD) of 0.36 mm.

Conclusions:

• The ultrasound-based diagnostic tool offers a systematic approach to prosthetic socket fitting.
• Quantifiable fitment data can improve prosthetic comfort, stability, and function, leading to better user acceptance.