Intelligent body interface systems for prosthetic rehabilitation

研究问题：下肢假肢领域最大的挑战在于残肢/窝界面。目前，下肢假体的正确安装和调整依赖于大量的技能和专业知识。这一过程在很大程度上依赖于观察、无指导、无量化的实践，并基于不太可能产生一致结果的工匠方法。此外，眼窝安装主要在诊所进行，基于对残肢的“快照”评估。没有实时监控和解决方案可以用来调整家庭设置的插座配件。因此，智能套接器接口系统在任何时候都需要确保套接器的舒适性和高质量，从而最大限度地提高整体康复效果。目的：本项目旨在通过实时接口测量和相关的肌肉骨骼生物力学，开发一种自适应插座接口系统。工作计划：这是一个跨工程领域的多学科项目，如材料、机电一体化、生物力学和计算建模，以及假肢康复领域，如截肢者步态分析和组织生物力学。主要工作计划包括：下肢截肢者的步态分析（包括在布拉奇福德的安置）基于实时输入的下肢假肢窝界面三维动态耦合和界面加载肌肉骨骼模型。先进的插座接口与智能反馈插座评估在实验室和临床环境。主要成果包括：全面的插座界面生物力学分析新的肌肉骨骼模型评估界面动态耦合先进的智能插座功能材料和系统具有临床潜力的自适应插座的概念验证

Research problem: The greatest challenge in the field of lower limb prosthetics lies at the stump/socket interface. Currently, lower limb prostheses are reliant on a great deal of skill and expertise for correct fitment and adjustment. This process is largely dependent on observational, unguided, unquantified practice and based on artisan methods which are unlikely to produce consistent outcomes. Furthermore, socket fitting is primarily conducted in clinics based on a "snap-shot" assessment of the stump. There is no real time monitoring and solutions which can be exploited to adjust socket fitting at home settings. Thus, there is an unmet need of an intelligent socket interface system to ensure comfort and high quality of socket fitting at all time, maximizing overall rehabilitation outcomes. Aims: This project aims to develop an adaptive socket interface system that is facilitated by real time interface measures and associated musculoskeletal biomechanics. Workplan: This is a multidisciplinary project spanning across engineering areas of e.g. materials, mechatronics, biomechanics and computational modelling as well as areas of prosthetic rehabilitation e.g. amputee gait analysis and tissue biomechanics. Primary work plan includes the development of: Gait analysis for lower limber amputees (including placement at Blatchford) 3D dynamic coupling and interface loading at lower limb prosthetic socket interface Musculoskeletal models based on real time inputs. Advance socket interface with intelligent feedback Socket assessment in lab and in clinical environment. Primary outcomes include: Comprehensive socket interface biomechanical analysis Novel musculoskeletal models to assess dynamic coupling at the interface Advanced functional materials and systems for intelligent socket Proof-of-concept of adaptive socket with clinical potentials