SBIR Phase I: Smart Gel Actuator for Variable-Volume Sockets of Lower-Limb Prostheses

* 9760351迪恩 这个小型企业创新研究第一阶段项目将证明智能响应凝胶致动器用于可变体积插座的可行性。 假肢接受腔的适配性直接关系到假肢的舒适性、行走效率和安全性。 然而，由于截肢者的残肢体积的自然波动，通常不能实现一致的、精确的承窝配合。 慢性不适和昂贵的，往往是无休止的寻找一个舒适的假肢的结果。 为了纠正这一基本缺陷，我们将创新一种智能可变体积插座（SVVS），其主要功能是内置插座，响应凝胶填充致动器，其体积可以通过电动方式改变。 相关的压力传感器将向机载控制器提供反馈。 接受腔将感知并自动补偿残肢的体积变化。 它将创造一个一致的精确配合，这将降低康复的需要和成本，并大大提高截肢者的生活质量。 智能凝胶致动器也有重要的应用矫形器和夹板。 预计SVVS概念将在美国22万名下肢截肢者中得到广泛应用。 应该发展一个数千万美元的全球性业务。 预计每年可节省超过1亿美元的美国康复费用。 ***

*** 9760351 Dean This Small Business Innovation Research Phase I project will prove the feasibility of smart, responsive-gel actuators for variable-volume sockets. The comfort, walking efficiency and security of lower-limb prostheses are related directly to the fit of the socket. Yet, a consistent, precision socket fit is often not achieved because of natural fluctuations in the volume of an amputee's residual limb. Chronic discomfort and an expensive, often endless search for a comfortable prosthesis result. To correct this basic defect, we will innovate a Smart Variable-Volume Socket (SVVS) whose main feature will be intrasocket, responsive-gel-filled actuators whose volume can be varied electrically. Associated pressure sensors will provide feedback to an on-board controller. The socket will sense and automatically compensate for volume variations of the residual limb. It will create a consistently precise fit which should lower the need for and cost of rehabilitation and improve greatly the quality of life of amputees. The smart gel actuator also has important applications for orthoses and splints. Widespread utilization of the SVVS concept is expected among the 220,000 U.S. lower-limb amputees. A worldwide business of tens of millions of dollars should develop. Savings of over $100 million/year in U.S. rehabilitation cost are projected. ***