Effects of Unity Prosthetic Elevated Vacuum Suspension System on Minimum Swing Toe Clearance

Area of Science:

• Biomechanics
• Prosthetics and Orthotics
• Rehabilitation Engineering

Background:

• Individuals with amputation face higher tripping risks due to reduced swing phase toe clearance.
• Effective prosthetic suspension systems can enhance residual limb attachment, potentially improving toe clearance.
• Limited research exists on the Unity suspension system's impact on swing toe clearance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the effect of the Unity suspension system on swing toe clearance in individuals with transtibial amputation.
• To compare the performance of the Unity suspension system with active (ON) and inactive (OFF) vacuum settings.
• To evaluate toe clearance during various simulated walking conditions.

Main Methods:

• Twelve individuals with transtibial amputation were fitted with the Unity suspension system.
• Participants walked in a virtual reality environment with active and inactive vacuum settings.
• Minimum swing toe clearance and kinematic data were collected and compared to the intact limb and able-bodied controls.

Main Results:

• Prosthetic side minimum swing toe clearance and knee flexion were greater than the intact side and controls.
• Hip flexion was reduced on the prosthetic side compared to controls.
• Minimum swing toe clearance did not significantly differ between active and inactive vacuum settings or across different walking conditions, except for side-slopes.

Conclusions:

• The Unity suspension system may enhance toe clearance, but active vacuum did not show a significant advantage over inactive vacuum.
• Both amputee and able-bodied individuals exhibited reduced toe clearance on side-slopes, increasing stumbling risk.
• Further research is needed to optimize prosthetic suspension for varied terrain.