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Published on: October 27, 2023
Embroidered textile sensors for real-time multiaxial force mapping in prosthetics
Tianhao Yu1, Axel González Cornejo2, Hyeonseo Joo3
1School of Mechanical Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN 47907, USA.
Science Advances
|August 14, 2026
Summary
New textile prosthetic sheaths with embroidered sensors offer real-time monitoring of both pressure and shear forces. This technology improves prosthetic fit, comfort, and gait stability for users.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Rehabilitation Robotics
- Human-Machine Interfaces
Background:
- Real-time monitoring of pressure and shear forces at the limb-socket interface is crucial for prosthetic users' comfort, fit, and skin health.
- Existing sensing systems often focus on pressure, neglecting shear forces that can cause skin damage, and may require socket modifications.
- Current technologies face challenges in seamlessly integrating with the compliant limb-socket interface.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and evaluate a novel textile-based sensing system for simultaneous, real-time monitoring of normal and shear forces within prosthetic sockets.
- To enable three-dimensional pressure mapping and provide intuitive on-body visual feedback for prosthetic users.
- To assess the system's effectiveness in capturing dynamic force distributions and gait parameters during daily activities.
Main Methods:
- Machine-embroidered sensor arrays integrated into textile prosthetic sheaths.
- Wireless data streaming for real-time 3D pressure mapping.
- Incorporation of an embroidered electroluminescent display for visual feedback.
- Testing with a transtibial prosthetic user during daily activities, complemented by ground reaction and acceleration data.
Main Results:
- Successful simultaneous, real-time monitoring of normal and shear forces at the limb-socket interface.
- Demonstrated ability to capture dynamic pressure and shear distributions during user's daily activities.
- Complementary insights into gait symmetry and limb dynamics were obtained using ground reaction and acceleration data.
- The system provided intuitive, on-body visual feedback via an embroidered display.
Conclusions:
- Embroidered textile sensors represent a practical advancement for enhancing prosthetic fit, comfort, and gait stability.
- The developed system offers a non-invasive and integrated solution for monitoring forces in prosthetic sockets.
- This technology holds significant potential for broader applications in rehabilitation robotics and human-machine interfaces.