Predictive prosthetic socket design: part 2-generating person-specific candidate designs using multi-objective genetic algorithms.

In post-amputation rehabilitation, a common goal is to return to ambulation using a prosthetic limb, suspended by a customised socket. Prosthetic socket design aims to optimise load transfer between the residual limb and mechanical limb, by customisation to the user. This is a time-consuming process, and with the increase in people requiring these prosthetics, it is vital that these personalised devices can be produced rapidly while maintaining excellent fit, to maximise function and comfort.

Re-inspiring the genetic algorithm with multi-level selection theory: multi-level selection genetic algorithm.

Genetic algorithms are integral to a range of applications. They utilise Darwin's theory of evolution to find optimal solutions in large complex spaces such as engineering, to visualise the design space, artificial intelligence, for pattern classification, and financial modelling, improving predictions. Since the original genetic algorithm was developed, new theories have been proposed which are believed to be integral to the evolution of biological systems.