Assessing 3D printable density-graded lattice structures to minimize risk of tissue damage from compression-release...

Area of Science:

• Biomaterials Engineering
• Prosthetics and Orthotics
• Tissue Mechanics

Background:

• Soft tissue damage in residual limbs can result from pressure, shear stress, and friction.
• Current compression/release stabilized (CRS) sockets may increase tissue damage risk due to abrupt compression changes.
• Investigating density-graded lattices to create gradual compression transitions and mitigate tissue damage.

Purpose of the Study:

• Assess the potential of density-graded lattice structures to reduce soft tissue damage.
• Evaluate the ability of lattices to create gradual transitions between high and low compression areas.
• Examine the effects of lattice geometry, density alteration, and displacement on structural properties.

Main Methods:

• 3D printing of lattice samples simulating compression and release zones in a CRS socket.
• Compression testing of two lattice types with eight density-altering design elements.
• Recording sample stiffness under three loading conditions based on lattice type and density alteration.

Main Results:

• Offset diamond lattice with blend radius density alterations met compression area criteria.
• No lattice samples met criteria for release areas.
• Transitional density lattices successfully achieved gradual tapering between compression and release values.

Conclusions:

• Transitional density lattices show potential for mitigating soft tissue damage by minimizing socket compression differentials.
• Findings have implications for prosthetic sockets across amputation levels and orthotic devices.
• Future work will focus on optimizing lattices for improved release behavior in modified CRS sockets.