Influence of prior activity on residual limb volume and shape measured using plaster casting: results from individuals with transtibial limb loss.

The purpose of this research was to determine whether prior activity affected the shape of a plaster cast taken of a transtibial residual limb. Plaster casts were taken twice on one day in 24 participants with transtibial limb loss, with 5 s between doffing and casting in one trial (PDI-5s) and 20 min in the other trial (PDI-20m). The ordering of the trials was randomized.

Computer-socket manufacturing error: how much before it is clinically apparent?

The purpose of this research was to pursue quality standards for computer-manufacturing of prosthetic sockets for people with transtibial limb loss. Thirty-three duplicates of study participants' normally used sockets were fabricated using central fabrication facilities. Socket-manufacturing errors were compared with clinical assessments of socket fit.

Assessment technique for computer-aided manufactured sockets.

This article presents an assessment technique for testing the quality of prosthetic socket fabrication processes at computer-aided manufacturing facilities. The assessment technique is potentially useful to both facilities making sockets and companies marketing manufacturing equipment seeking to assess and improve product quality. To execute the assessment technique, an evaluator fabricates a collection of test models and sockets using the manufacturing suite under evaluation, then measures their shapes using scanning equipment.

Measuring foam model shapes with a contact digitizer.

Background And Aim: It is difficult to measure foam model shapes using contact digitizers because the stylus contact tends to get stuck in the soft foam. The aim of this paper is to describe a technique to overcome this challenge and to assess its effect on digitizer error.

Technique: A controlled laboratory study was conducted.

Central fabrication: carved positive assessment.

Background: It is estimated that only 24% of practitioners use CAD/CAM regularly. Socket manufacturing error may be a source of the limited use of central fabrication.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in shape between computer-manufactured, centrally fabricated carved models and electronic file shapes, to determine if carving was a major source of socket manufacturing error in central fabrication.