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. 2014 Sep 9;14(9):16754-65.
doi: 10.3390/s140916754.

Development of an air pneumatic suspension system for transtibial prostheses

Gholamhossein Pirouzi  1 , Noor Azuan Abu Osman  2 , Azim Ataollahi Oshkour  3 , Sadeeq Ali  4 , Hossein Gholizadeh  5 , Wan A B Wan Abas  6
Affiliations

Development of an air pneumatic suspension system for transtibial prostheses

Gholamhossein Pirouzi et al. Sensors (Basel). .

Abstract

The suspension system and socket fitting of artificial limbs have major roles and vital effects on the comfort, mobility, and satisfaction of amputees. This paper introduces a new pneumatic suspension system that overcomes the drawbacks of current suspension systems in donning and doffing, change in volume during daily activities, and pressure distribution in the socket-stump interface. An air pneumatic suspension system (APSS) for total-contact sockets was designed and developed. Pistoning and pressure distribution in the socket-stump interface were tested for the new APSS. More than 95% of the area between each prosthetic socket and liner was measured using a Tekscan F-Scan pressure measurement which has developed matrix-based pressure sensing systems. The variance in pressure around the stump was 8.76 kPa. APSS exhibits less pressure concentration around the stump, improved pressure distribution, easy donning and doffing, adjustability to remain fitted to the socket during daily activities, and more adaptability to the changes in stump volume. The volume changes were adjusted by utility of air pressure sensor. The vertical displacement point and reliability of suspension were assessed using a photographic method. The optimum pressure in every level of loading weight was 55 kPa, and the maximum displacement was 6 mm when 90 N of weight was loaded.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Feature and components of the APSS: Bladder (a); Control circuit board (including a pressure sensor and microcontroller) (b); Pump (c); Valve (d); Battery (e); Operation system (f); Assembled transtibial prostheses (g).
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
System operation chart.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Pistoning within the socket was monitored to measure the vertical displacement point.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Transducers were divided in parts to fit the contours of liners.
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
F-Scan test setup.
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Data and graphs show pressure distributing and the pick points of pressure.
Figure 7.
Figure 7.
Average values of distances between posterior trims line and liner (mm).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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