Perspiration Thresholds and Secure Suspension for Lower Limb Amputees in Demanding Environments
Abstract
The objective of this project is to provide active lower limb amputees who work in demanding environments with a prosthesis and suspension that remains secure despite profuse residual limb perspiration. The specific aims are to: (1) Identify the environment and perspiration thresholds at which the current standard-of-care prosthesis fails to provide a secure suspension, and (2) Compare the performance of the current standard-of-care prosthesis with an innovative prosthesis that uses dynamic air exchange to expel accumulated perspiration. We enrolled 12 individuals with lower limb amputation into an IRB-approved protocol to walk on a treadmill for up to 30-minutes in a chamber at 20, 30, and 35 degrees C at 50 relative humidity. The cross-over experimental design randomized the order of the study prostheses. The results show that despite greater perspiration while wearing the dynamic air exchange prosthesis, it provides greater adherence (less slippage) in demanding conditions than the current standard-of-care.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 2017
- Accession Number
- AD1054770
Entities
People
- Glenn K. Klute
Organizations
- Seattle Institute for Biomedical and Clinical Research