Limb loss requires prosthetic use. Prostheses usually consist of 2 components: 1) a soft interface to protect the skin and underlying musculoskeletal tissue and 2) a structural interface to enable attachment of prosthetic components to the human body. The interface connects the patient's body to the prosthetic components and thus ground during gait. The interface has 2 purposes: 1) to distribute weight-bearing forces throughout the entire residual limb (RL) and 2) to suspend the prosthesis during swing phase and unweighting. The interface assists in distributing vertical loads during weight bearing to minimize focal loading on pressure intolerant tissues. The interface also suspends prosthetic components to the RL in swing phase and other periods of unweighting.
Many amputees experience RL complications and decreased mobility resulting from the inability to detect excess pressure or a lack of distal contact with newly fit and poorly fit interfaces. A smart socket technology interface could benefit every new prosthetic patient by prompting the user of a compromised socket fit prior to inhibiting functional use and safety. Further, the smart socket technology interface may ultimately prevent other health complications and improve patient interaction, usability, comfort, fit and function. The ALPS iForce most economically measures these variables more comprehensively than any other known single device. Therefore the smart socket interface technology chosen for this proposal is the ALPs iForce. The iForce tracks pressure over time and indicates to the user when positive or negative distal pressure exists by providing volume management suggestions (i.e. sock-ply adjustments). The user interacts with data measured sent wirelessly to an application on a smart phone (Android/iOS/Windows), handheld device, or PC. Suggestions may include removal or application of prosthetic socks over the RL, or other appropriate volume management strategies, to improve fit and comfort. Early warning to possible skin irritation and breakdown may lead to a healthier limb.
