Improved Patient Outcomes in Prostheses Fit Through Integrated 3D Digital Image Correlation and Finite Element Analysis
Abstract
Prosthesis fit is a critical concern for individuals with an amputation as a poor fit can lead to discomfort, soft tissue injuries, debilitating pain, and mobility limitations. Related to fit, the load-bearing skin and muscles of the residual limb are subjected to large shear and transverse strains, which can result in discomfort, irritation, and the cascade of adverse outcomes listed above. The ability to measure these strains would greatly benefit socket design and clinical evaluation and improvement of prosthesis fit. Unfortunately, measuring these strains in vivo has significant practical and technical challenges, leading researchers to estimate them using finite element analysis (FEA) software. Such estimates vary widely between studies, largely due to the number of unknowns and approximations that are implicit in FEA. Furthermore, these strains are rarely validated with empirical measurements due to the challenges in measuring stresses and strains on the residual limb during use. It is developing solutions to these challenges that is the focus of the proposed work. The broad objective of this 2-year research program is to advance and apply FEA-based estimates of skin strain to improve our understanding of how clinical socket shaping strategy affects strain and socket fit. Two aims have been proposed. First, FEA estimates of skin strain on the residual limb will be improved using direct measurements of strain from state-of-the-art digital image correlation (DIC) experiments. Second, these strain measurements between different clinical socket shaping strategies will be compared to better understand the relationship between the socket shape, strain, and fit. The proposed research will provide crucial insight into the soft tissue strain distribution on the residual limb, and can assist prosthetists with the socket process by relating objective, quantitative strain measurements with prosthesis fit. The proposed system can be of great importance to the military since it can improve the lives of Service Members and U.S. Veterans that have undergone an amputation by improving prosthesis fit.
Document Details
- Document Type
- DoD Grant Award
- Publication Date
- Dec 05, 2021
- Source ID
- W81XWH2110220
Entities
People
- Michael K Philen
Organizations
- United States Army
- Virginia Tech