Towards Adaptive Prosthetic Sockets using 3D-printed Variable-stiffness Shape-memory Structures

Afonso Pourfarzaneh, Majid Taghavi, Tim Helps, Jonathan Rossiter

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference Contribution (Conference Proceeding)

7 Citations (Scopus)
398 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Many amputees experience pain and soreness due to poor fitting of their prosthetic socket, which is exacerbated by inevitable changes in volume and shape of their residual limb. This work presents an adjustable, adaptive residual-limb-fitting concept: integrating a 3D-printed variable-stiffness (VS) interface layer within the socket. We exploit the glass-transition behaviour of polylactic acid (PLA), demonstrating 3D-printed structures that can be transitioned from a rigid state to a soft state, simply by heating. This not only enables the socket to be adjusted to fit the individual’s residual limb, but also allows tuning of its stiffness by changing the internal structure of theinterface layer. The mechanical properties of 3D-printed variable-stiffness structures are investigated, and the shape-memory effect of PLA is also captured to deliver 3D-printed shape-memory structures that can recover from deformation when heated
Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationRoboSoft 2019 - 2019 IEEE International Conference on Soft Robotics
PublisherInstitute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)
Pages410-415
Number of pages6
ISBN (Electronic)9781538692608
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 27 May 2019
Event2019 IEEE International Conference on Soft Robotics, RoboSoft 2019 - Seoul, Korea, Republic of
Duration: 14 Apr 201918 Apr 2019

Conference

Conference2019 IEEE International Conference on Soft Robotics, RoboSoft 2019
Country/TerritoryKorea, Republic of
CitySeoul
Period14/04/1918/04/19

Research Groups and Themes

  • Tactile Action Perception

Keywords

  • 3D printing
  • Orthotics
  • Prosthetics
  • Rehabilitation robotics
  • Shape-memory effect
  • Variable-stiffness

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