A Sensor-Based Decision Support System for Transfemoral Socket Rectification.

Michalis Karamousadakis,Dejiu Chen,Suranjan Ottikkutti,Antonis Porichis,Panagiotis Vartholomeos

doi:10.3390/s21113743

Michalis Karamousadakis, Dejiu Chen + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/s21113743

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Abstract

A decision support system (DSS) was developed that outputs suggestions for socket-rectification actions to the prosthetist, aiming at improving the fitness of transfemoral prosthetic socket design and reducing the time needed for the final socket design. For this purpose, the DSS employs a fuzzy-logic inference engine (IE) which combines a set of rectification rules with pressure measurements generated by sensors embedded in the socket, for deciding the rectification actions. The latter is then processed by an algorithm that receives, manipulates and modifies a 3D digital socket model as a triangle mesh formatted inside an STL file. The DSS results were validated and tested in an FEA simulation environment, by simulating and comparing the donning process among a good-fitting socket, a loose socket (poor-fit) and several rectified sockets produced by the proposed DSS. The simulation results indicate that volume reduction improves the pressure distribution over the stump. However, as the intensity of socket rectification increases, i.e., as volume reduction increases, high pressures appear in other parts of the socket which generate discomfort. Therefore, a trade-off is required between the amount of rectification and the balance of the pressure distributions experienced at the stump.

Highlights

The basic requirements for acceptance of a prosthesis by the patient are comfort, function and appearance [1]
This paper presents a novel socket rectification tool that functions as a decision support system (DSS), and is used to support the course of action for achieving superior checksocket rectifications
Pressure measurements generated by the SocketSense sensors embedded in the socket

Summary

Introduction

The basic requirements for acceptance of a prosthesis by the patient are comfort, function and appearance [1]. Prosthetic devices that fulfill the requirements allow an amputee to walk relatively normally; i.e., the gait should resemble that of a healthy person. The requirements are mutually interrelated and the degrees of attainment of one requirement is influenced by the degree of fulfillment for the others. Patients that experience serious discomfort because of pain and skin irritation, or instability during walking, will minimize the discomfort at the expense of functionality by adapting their gait [1,2]. Patients whose prosthesis does not meet the three requirements eventually abandon the prosthetic device [3]

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