title: Multi-Indenter Device for in Vivo Biomechanical Tissue Measurement.
abstract: Biomechanical tissue properties have been hypothesized to play a critical role in the quantification of prosthetic socket production for individuals with limb amputation. In this investigation, a novel indenter platform is presented and its performance evaluated for the purposes of residual-limb tissue characterization. The indenter comprised 14 position- and force-controllable actuators that circumferentially surround a biological residuum to form an actuator ring. Each indenter actuator was individually controllable in position ( [Formula: see text] accuracy) and force (330 mN accuracy) at a PC controller feedback rate of 500 Hz, allowing for a range of measurement across a residual stump. Data were collected from 162 sensors over an EtherCAT fieldbus to characterize the mechanical hyperviscoelastic tissue response of two transtibial residual-limbs from a study participant with bilateral amputations. At five distinct anatomical locations across the residual-limb, force versus deflection data-including hyperviscoelastic tissue properties-are presented, demonstrating the accuracy and versatility of the multi-indenter platform for residual-limb tissue characterization.
authors.forename: Arthur
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Petron
authors.forename: Jean-Francois
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Duval
authors.forename: Hugh
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Herr
mesh_terms: D000672:Amputation Stumps / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D004867:Equipment Design; D019544:Equipment Failure Analysis; D006245:Hardness Tests / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D007719:Knee Joint / Q000503:physiopathology; D055617:Micro-Electrical-Mechanical Systems / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D010173:Palpation / Q000295:instrumentation*; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014783:Viscosity