Developing a new sensor system to assess lower limb prosthetics

Our research team has developed a novel body interface sensor system which can be applied at the residuum/socket interface, and measure multidirectional pressure and shear in real time. Preliminary studies with lower limb amputees have been very successful.  

The research has generated new understanding in the interdisciplinary fields of medical, engineering and physics, and the sensor is also applicable to a wide range of biomedical application areas associated with the designs of insoles, mattresses, special seating, assistive rehabilitation robotics, and orthotics.

This research project received funding from The Medical Research Council.

This novel sensor system has the potential to provide objective assessment of socket fit and early detection of sores, helping prevent any pain and discomfort experienced by amputees using lower limb prosthesis.

As well as generating new biomechanical understanding, our collaborative research has led to many prizes including Best Free Paper BLESMA Prize 2015, the Limbless Association Prize 2014, and Best Paper Prize for Advancing Technology at ISPO World Congress 2017. 

The interdisciplinary nature of the work has led to many journal papers, one of which, in Medical Engineering and Physics, won the prestigious 2015 Institute of Engineering and Technology William James Award.

Further research is currently underway to translate this sensor innovation to clinically-applicable tools, effectively assisting amputee care and rehabilitation.

We used the following facilities within the University - Engineering Material lab and Testing and Structures Research Laboratory

Find out more about the Engineering and Environment Faculty's many world class facilities.

This research was an interdisciplinary collaboration between Engineering and Health Sciences within the University of Southampton.

We also worked closely with an external partner in the form of UK company Chas. A. Blatchford & Sons Ltd (prosthetics and orthotics).

Tang, J., Mcgrath, M., Hale, N., Jiang, L., Bader, D., Laszczak, P., ... Zahedi, S. (2017). A combined kinematic and kinetic analysis at the residuum/socket interface of a knee-disarticulation amputee. Medical Engineering & Physics. DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2017.08.014

Mcgrath, M., Gao, J., Tang, J., Laszczak, P., Jiang, L., Bader, D., ... Zahedi, Z. (2017). Development of a residuum/socket interface simulator for lower limb prosthetics. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part H: Journal of Engineering in Medicine, 231(3), 235-242

Laszczak, P., Mcgrath, M., Tang, J., Gao, J., Jiang, L., Bader, D., ... Zahedi, S. (2016). A pressure and shear sensor system for stress measurement at lower limb residuum/socket interface. Medical Engineering & Physics, 38(7), 695-700. DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2016.04.007

Tang, J., McGrath, M., Laszczak, P., Jiang, L., Bader, D. L., Moser, D., & Zahedi, S. (2015). Characterisation of dynamic couplings at lower limb residuum/socket interface using 3D motion capture. Medical Engineering & Physics, 37(12), 1162-1168. DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2015.10.004

Laszczak, P., Jiang, L., Bader, D. L., Moser, D., & Zahedi, S. (2015). Development and validation of a 3D-printed interfacial stress sensor for prosthetic applications. Medical Engineering & Physics, 37(1), 132-137. DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2014.10.002

• Winner of the Limbless Association Prize 2014
• Winner of William James Prize 2015
• Winner of British Limbless Ex-Serviceman’s Association (BLESMA) Prize 2015
• Winner of the Best Paper Prize for Advancing Technology at ISPO World Congress 2017