Glenn Klute, Ph.D.
VA Center of Excellence for Limb Loss Prevention and Prosthetic Engineering


ABSTRACT

The current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan suggest a continuing role by the Armed Forces and Veterans Administration to care for personnel who undergo service connected amputation.  Many aspects of rehabilitation, including surgical care, prosthetic prescription, physical and occupational therapy, and psychological support, can influence the outcome.  This seminar focuses on the role of engineers in improving the mobility, healthcare, and quality of life of lower limb amputees.

Part I: Torsional Properties of Prosthetic Components and their Effect on Amputee
Maneuvering and Stability

Even though you are 8x more likely to fall while turning than while walking in a straight line, most of what is known about amputee gait and their prosthetic components has been discovered while patients walk straight ahead.  Through field and laboratory measurements, this area of research seeks to determine if torsional interventions can enhance amputee stability and mobility during complex gait activities and how the next generation of these devices might improve these outcomes.

Part II: Prosthetic Sockets: How do you achieve a good fit without sacrificing
tissue oxygenation or comfort?

A socket that is too loose and the residual limb pistons within the socket resulting in skin injuries and a lack of control.  Too tight and the soft tissues of the leg suffer from poor circulation.  Complicating the problem is that socket fit is a moving target: residual limb volumes fluctuate throughout the day.  While many have tried (and failed!) to develop adaptive geometry sockets, a new approach involves using a vacuum to draw fluids into the limb during gait and (maybe) result in a better fit with improved tissue oxygenation.