Therapeutic Intermittent Compression Socket

The purpose of this project is to develop a device that provides rapid intermittent compression to the residual limb of amputees that do not have good blood flow in their limbs. The device will be built into the prosthetic socket to provide the user with portable therapy throughout the day, which will free the user from being confined to a chair for up to six hours each day to receive the prescribed amount of therapy. This device will reduce the number of ulcers that form, help those ulcers that do form to heal and will ultimately reduce the number of reamputation surgeries that need to occur by increasing blood flow in the limb. These improvements will not only help to reduce the $1.9 billion that is spent each year in the US related to reamputations but also improve the quality of life of amputees by maintaining their functional status and not requiring them to undergo further surgery.