Development of Prototype Low-Cost QTSS™ Wearable Flexible More Enviro-Friendly Pressure, Shear, and Friction Sensors for Dynamic Prosthetic Fit Monitoring.

Valter Dejke,Klas Brinkfeldt,Chris Lussey,Josephine Charnley,David Lussey,Mattias P Eng

doi:10.3390/s21113764

Valter Dejke, Klas Brinkfeldt + Show 4 more

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https://doi.org/10.3390/s21113764

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Abstract

There is a current healthcare need for improved prosthetic socket fit provision for the masses using low-cost and simple to manufacture sensors that can measure pressure, shear, and friction. There is also a need to address society’s increasing concerns regarding the environmental impact of electronics and IoT devices. Prototype thin, low-cost, and low-weight pressure, shear, and loss of friction sensors have been developed and assembled for trans-femoral amputees. These flexible and conformable sensors are simple to manufacture and utilize more enviro-friendly novel magnetite-based QTSS™ (Quantum Technology Supersensor™) quantum materials. They have undergone some initial tests on flat and curved surfaces in a pilot amputee trial, which are presented in this paper. These initial findings indicate that the prototype pressure sensor strip is capable of measuring pressure both on flat and curved socket surfaces in a pilot amputee trial. They have also demonstrated that the prototype shear sensor can indicate increasing shear forces, the resultant direction of the shear forces, and loss of friction/slippage events. Further testing, amputee trials, and ongoing optimization is continuing as part of the SocketSense project to assist prosthetic comfort and fit.

Highlights

Limb amputations cause serious physical disabilities worldwide and compromise peoples’ quality of life globally
The shear sensors are used alongside the pressure to be subjected to a shear force when loaded in a tensile tester whilst at the same time sensors to gatherto data
The QTSSTM sensors presented in this article show excellent potential to be used as thin, low cost, low-weight, real-time prosthetic-fit pressure, shear, and loss of friction sensors in order to address the current healthcare need for improved prosthetic socket fit provision for the masses whilst addressing society’s increasing concerns regarding the environmental impact of electronics and IoT devices

Summary

Introduction

Limb amputations cause serious physical disabilities worldwide and compromise peoples’ quality of life globally. In the USA alone, in 2005, there were an estimated 1.6 million persons living with limb loss in the United States, with 19% to 21% of those individuals living with a transfemoral (above knee) lower limb amputation [1]. These numbers could double by 2050 due to the increasing rates of vascular disease and diabetes [2,3]. The socket for lower-limb amputees is a critical human–machine interface between an amputee’s stump and the prosthetic limb device. The so-called “pistoning effect” occurs, which is a vertical relative movement of the stump inside the socket that can sometimes be abrasive

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