SBIR Phase I: Universally Adjustable Modular Prosthesis Socket

小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目的更广泛影响/商业潜力是开发一种新型假体，其中离散的、可批量生产的模块化组件可以组装成插座，否则需要昂贵的材料和设备以及数小时的定制装配。这些模块可以组装成几乎无限的配置，并提供了一种符合个人残肢形状的机构。该项目还将扩展系统能力的工艺创新，以廉价和快速地更换损坏的部件，并根据肢体形状的长期变化对插座进行修改，包括跟上儿童的成长或使用相同的部件执行完整重建。模块化设计还允许组件的大规模可制造性，而不是专门的一次性制造。该系统适用于所有年龄、肢体形状以及上肢和下肢插座的患者，因此可以满足广泛的需求。该小型企业创新研究(SBIR)第一阶段项目建议创建一种通用可调、半灵活的模块化插座系统，该系统可适应肢体体积和形状变化的波动，同时仍提供安全舒适的适配。模块化设计使产品能够进行组装、配置和重新配置，以适应患者特定的肢体形状。在这个项目中，将探索将分布式、模块化、半柔性的窝系统机械耦合到软组织的含义和局限性。这包括生理相关载荷和扭矩下的最大和最小压力以及热点测绘。该奖项反映了NSF的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的智力优势和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

The broader impact/commercial potential of this Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project is to develop a novel prosthesis, where discrete, mass-producible modular components can be assembled to fabricate sockets that would otherwise require expensive materials and equipment and hours of custom fitting. The modules can be assembled in virtually limitless configurations and provide a mechanism for conforming to the shape of the individual’s residual limb. This project will also extend a process innovation in the system’s capacity to inexpensively and quickly replace broken components and modify the socket to long-term changes in limb shape, including keeping up with a child's growth or executing complete rebuilds using the same components. The modular design also allows for mass manufacturability of the constituent components rather than specialized one-off manufacturing. The system is suitable for patients of all ages, limb shapes, and for both upper and lower limb sockets, so a broad set of needs can be addressed.This Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I project proposes to create a universally adjustable, semi-flexible modular socket system that adapts to fluctuations in limb volume and shape changes while still providing a secure and comfortable fit. The modular design enables the product to be assembled, configured, and reconfigured to suit the specific limb shape of the patient. In this project, the implications and limitations of mechanically coupling a distributed, modular, semi-flexible socket system to soft tissues will be explored. This includes maximum and minimum pressure and hotspot mapping under physiologically-relevant loading and torque.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.