Projects:2021s1-13412 Smart Sock for Aiding Prothesis Fit and Preventing Pressure Sores in Leg Amputees

The number of amputations that occur in Australia are continuing to increase. This has voiced a common concern experienced by most amputees, and that is, prostheses being improperly fit and uncomfortable. Prostheses that have been fitted incorrectly leads to abnormally high-pressure points between the residual limb and the prosthetic, causing severe pressure sores and injuries to the residual limb. Prothesis fitting is not a simple process, it involves months of rehabilitation and fitting modifications with a clinician. Current methods to assist in prosthesis fittings, such as visual inspection, have proven to be inaccurate and unreliable due to their inability to provide quantitative data. This lead to the idea of designing a "Smart Sock". The "Smart Sock" will be equipped with a pressure sensing capability to measure the distribution of pressure between the residual limb and the prosthetic. Pressures will be displayed graphically on a android mobile application, where they can be further analysed, manipulated, and interpreted. Clinicians will be able to utilise this device to aid prosthesis fittings and modifications, and accurately locate high-pressure areas to prevent pressure sores in lower limb amputees.

Introduction

Australia has the second highest rate of diabetic related lower limb amputations in the developing world, these amputations are due to peripheral vascular disease or diabetes. The latest figures indicate that more than 8,000 lower limb amputations are performed each year in Australia. Other causes for amputation include cancer, trauma accidents, infections, and birth deficiencies.

The development of a prosthesis that improperly fits an amputee’s residual limb can lead to the development of pressure sores. This is due to the abnormally high-pressure areas between the residual limb and the prosthetic. This is a common problem amputees face, and it has a significant impact on their quality of life and the public healthcare system. Currently, visual inspection techniques such as Blu-Tak deformation, lipstick smudging, and a transparent socket are used to determine the locations and severity of these high-pressure areas. However, these current techniques have proven to be inaccurate, due to the lack of quantitative data and inability to monitor long-term pressure areas and injuries.

The aim of the project is to develop a “Smart Sock” prototype that will fit a lower limb amputee’s residual limb. It will be able to measure the distribution of pressures across the entire surface area of the residual limb and the prosthetic using pressure sensors. These pressures will be analysed and displayed graphically via a user-friendly mobile application that will be developed. The device will be utilised by clinician and practitioners to ensure a uniform distribution of pressure across the lower residual limb to prevent potential pressure sores from occurring. The device will also assist in prosthesis fitting and modification, locating high-pressure areas, and accelerate prothesis rehabilitation.

Project team

Project students

• Luke Quinzi
• Maria Rapetti

Supervisors

• Dr Said Al Sarawi

Stakeholders

• Vivien Heng
• Jane Morphett

Objectives

Set of objectives

References

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