SoundFit Ultrasonic Performance Diagnostic for Lower-Body Prostheses

This project utilizes line-of-sight ultrasound transceivers for upper limb prosthetic design and fitting to address the needs of the larger lower-extremity patient population. The goal of this project is to develop a lower-limb socket optimization tool that can provide prosthetists quantifiable and actionable data to inform socket design. The objectives are to: (1) develop an ultrasonic socket fitment monitoring technology suitable for lower-extremity prosthetics; (2) develop visualization software that improves socket design and fitment for all clinical prosthetics providers; and (3) determine the best procedures and exercises for evaluating lower-extremity prosthesis performance. Anticipated outcomes include: (1) availability of a new enabling technology to quantitatively establish socket performance for individuals with lower-limb amputations; (2) initial efficacy testing that demonstrates the benefits of ultrasound-assisted fitment in a clinical setting; and (3) high performance lower-limb prosthetics will be more affordable and attainable. The expected products include a commercially-available “SoundFit” ultrasound fitment kit, clinician instructions for superior fitment and prosthetics performance, and scholarly articles that quantify ultrasonic fitment procedures to elucidate future development of prosthetic devices.