SocketMaster
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Development of a Master Socket for optimised design of prosthetic socket for lower limb amputees.
IRAS ID
181499
Contact name
Abdo Sleiman HAIDAR
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
TWI Ltd
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 10 months, 1 days
Research summary
The function of a lower limb prosthetic is highly dependent upon the characteristics and anatomical profile of the residual limb. This is unique to each individual and changes depending on the activities being engaged in by the amputee. A poorly fitting prosthetic socket can cause significant trauma so it is important to consider how to optimise the fit to maximise the amputee's comfort whilst wearing the limb prosthesis. Current practice of producing a prosthetic socket is time consuming, and is highly dependent on the experience of the prosthetist. The H2020 SocketMaster project aims to integrate micro electronic biomechanical sensors into a SocketMaster medical tool which can help prosthetists to achieve fast customised design and manufacturing of prosthetic sockets for lower limb (trans-femoral and trans-tibial) amputees. Based on Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems technology, various sensors will be developed so that pressure distribution and friction force within the interface between the residual limb and the socket can be measured. The SocketMaster tool will be built by assembling the sensor system in a rigid hosting socket in such a way that the sensors' positions can be adjusted to achieve a comfortable configuration for the patient. The pressure distributions at typical walking gait positions will be used to optimise the socket design to maximise the patient's comfort. The digital 3D data of the optimised socket design can be fed into a rapid prototyping machine for fast fabrication with less dependence on the skills of the prosthetist. To assess the prosthetic socket produced by the SocketMaster system in terms of the experience of the socket user and the feedback from the prosthetist, clinical trials will be carried out at the London prosthetic centre. A total of 50 lower limb amputee subjects will be recruited from the existing customers of the London prosthetic centre.
REC name
London - Stanmore Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
16/LO/0379
Date of REC Opinion
19 Apr 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion