Article

This article proposes a type of transtibial socket composed of an inner layer
fabricated by a rapid prototyping (RP) machine and an outer layer coated with
unsaturated polyester resin.
This work integrates contemporary technologies
including a handheld scanner and CAD systems, to design a thin primary socket
shape and then manufactures the socket using a fused deposition-modeling machine.
To prevent breakage caused by the layer-based forming process and to reinforce
flexural strength, the current research coats the preliminary RP socket with a
layer of unsaturated polyester resin. After shaping the proximal brim of the
resin-reinforced RP socket to match the specific stump, this study assembles and
aligns a shank and a prosthetic foot to form a prosthesis set. After completing a
trial safety walk wearing the prosthesis, which is satisfactory to the amputee
and a registered prosthetist,
this research measures interface pressures between
the stump and the resin-reinforced RP socket. Experiment results demonstrate that
the resin-reinforced RP socket is applicable for transtibial amputees. In
addition to strengthening the FDM socket and producing consistent socket fit,
this study also demonstrates a feasible procedure that employs current
technologies to design and manufacture transtibial sockets without plaster moulds.

Langue : ANGLAIS