Design and testing of a simple quick connect for a prosthetic liner tether

Area of Science:

• Prosthetics and Orthotics
• Biomechanical Engineering
• Rehabilitation Technology

Background:

• Tether lanyards in prosthetic liners present a challenge for users needing to detach and reattach them for maintenance.
• Existing methods for securing tethers can be difficult for certain individuals, impacting user independence and care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an innovative quick connect system for prosthetic tethers, simplifying attachment and detachment from the liner.
• To enhance user experience and accessibility in prosthetic care through improved hardware.

Main Methods:

• A novel slide-and-lock mechanism was designed and implemented for the quick connect system.
• Mechanical testing evaluated the system's durability under tensile loads, complemented by a pilot study with transtibial amputees.

Main Results:

• The quick connect demonstrated robust mechanical performance, enduring 25,000 cycles at 100 N and single cycles at 350 N.
• Pilot study participants found the system intuitive, secure, quiet, and stable, with fastening/unfastening times between 2-30 seconds.
• Despite positive attributes, users preferred traditional pin locks due to the quick connect's perceived multi-step complexity (twist-align-slide).

Conclusions:

• The current quick connect design may benefit limited community ambulators experiencing difficulties with standard pin lock donning procedures.
• Potential applications include integration with powered tethers requiring automated length adjustment mechanisms.
• Further design iterations may be necessary to address user-perceived complexity and broaden adoption.