An adaptive prosthetic socket for people with transtibial amputation.

It is essential that people with limb amputation maintain proper prosthetic socket fit to prevent injury. Monitoring and adjusting socket fit, for example by removing the prosthesis to add prosthetic socks, is burdensome and can adversely affect users' function and quality-of-life. This study presents results from take-home testing of a motor-driven adaptive socket that automatically adjusted socket size during walking.

Performance of an auto-adjusting prosthetic socket during walking with intermittent socket release.

Introduction: A challenge in the engineering of auto-adjusting prosthetic sockets is to maintain stable operation of the control system while users change their bodily position and activity. The purpose of this study was to test the stability of a socket that automatically adjusted socket size to maintain fit. Socket release during sitting was conducted between bouts of walking.

A sensor to monitor limb depth in transtibial sockets with locking pin suspension: a technical note.

Background: Monitoring of limb depth in transtibial sockets may provide useful information toward patient education and care.

Objective: The objective was to develop a sensor to detect the depth of a locking pin in the shuttle lock of a transtibial socket and to monitor the small motions between ratchet clicks during ambulation.

Study Design: Controlled bench testing and single-participant study.

Socket release/relock: An innovative mechanism to maintain residual limb volume.

Management of socket fit is challenging for people using lower-limb prostheses because of residual limb volume fluctuation throughout the day. Releasing socket pressures during sitting (partial doffing) may help users increase their limb volume after they have undergone volume loss earlier in the day. The purpose of this research was to develop and evaluate a system to allow for quick and easy locking pin and socket panel release during sitting and relock upon standing.