The development of a rapid prototyping prosthetic socket coated with a resin layer for transtibial amputees.
This article proposes a type of transtibial socket composed of an inner layer fabricated by a rapid prototyping (RP) machine and an outer layer coated with unsaturated polyester resin. This work integrates contemporary technologies including a handheld scanner and CAD systems, to design a thin primary socket shape and then manufactures the socket using a fused deposition-modeling machine. To prevent breakage caused by the layer-based forming process and to reinforce flexural strength, the current research coats the preliminary RP socket with a layer of unsaturated polyester resin. After shaping the proximal brim of the resin-reinforced RP socket to match the specific stump, this study assembles and aligns a shank and a prosthetic foot to form a prosthesis set. After completing a trial safety walk wearing the prosthesis, which is satisfactory to the amputee and a registered prosthetist, this research measures interface pressures between the stump and the resin-reinforced RP socket. Experiment results demonstrate that the resin-reinforced RP socket is applicable for transtibial amputees. In addition to strengthening the FDM socket and producing consistent socket fit, this study also demonstrates a feasible procedure that employs current technologies to design and manufacture transtibial sockets without plaster moulds.
Hsu
L H
LH
Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, Taiwan. lhhsu@mail.ncku.edu.tw
Huang
G F
GF
Lu
C T
CT
Hong
D Y
DY
Liu
S H
SH
D000671:Amputation, Surgical / Q000379:methods* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D000672:Amputation Stumps; D000674:Amputees / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001186:Artificial Limbs; D001696:Biomechanical Phenomena; D017076:Computer-Aided Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008422:Materials Testing; D011474:Prosthesis Design / Q000379:methods*; D011475:Prosthesis Failure; D017755:Prosthesis Fitting; D012117:Resins, Synthetic; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013977:Tibia / Q000601:surgery*
D012117:Resins, Synthetic