Design, construction, and evaluation of the BeneFit socket: An adjustable temporary socket for a transradial...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Prosthetics and Orthotics

Background:

• Upper limb loss affects a growing population, necessitating functional and aesthetic prosthetic solutions.
• The
• Golden Period
• (first month post-amputation) is crucial for successful prosthetic integration but often missed due to delays.
• Current prosthetic sockets can be costly and time-consuming to produce, hindering early intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop an adaptable and versatile temporary transradial socket.
• To enable multidimensional adjustments and easy user fitting for early prosthetic training.
• To support research requiring flexible prostheses and hybrid bionic reconstructions.

Main Methods:

• A wearable prototype socket was designed and 3D printed, integrating myoelectric hand components.
• The socket's design focused on adjustability in diameter and length.
• User and expert satisfaction was evaluated through a monocentric, explorative study.

Main Results:

• The 3D-printed socket demonstrated adjustability in both diameter and length.
• The design was perceived as satisfactory by both prosthetic users and experts.
• Key positive attributes included weight, ease of donning/doffing, and breathability.

Conclusions:

• The proposed transradial socket design offers a promising solution for early prosthetic fitting.
• It addresses the need for adaptability and user-friendliness, capitalizing on the
• Golden Period
• .
• Further improvements for broader clinical use include enhanced versatility and a more compact design.