Sensors, Vol. 20, Pages 5620: Incorporating a Ferrous Polymer Target into Elastomeric Liners for Socket Fit Sensing in Prosthesis Users

Sensors, Vol. 20, Pages 5620: Incorporating a Ferrous Polymer Target into Elastomeric Liners for Socket Fit Sensing in Prosthesis Users Sensors doi: 10.3390/s20195620 Authors: Ryan V. Carter Brian G. Larsen Jake B. McLean Joseph L. Garbini Joan E. Sanders Liner-to-socket distance measurement using inductive sensing may be an effective means to continuously monitor socket fit in people using trans-tibial prostheses. A practical limitation, however, is a means to incorporate a thin uniform-thickness layer of conductive or magnetically permeable target material into the wide range of prosthetic liner products that people with limb amputation commonly use. In this paper, a method is presented whereby a 0.50-mm thickness ferrous polymer made from a SEEPS polymer and iron powder that is formed adjacent to a 0.25-mm thick non-ferrous layer of SEEPS polymer is assembled between two sheets of elastic fabric material. Bench testing showed that the fabrication procedure achieved a root-mean-square error in the thickness of this construct of 58 μm, helping to create a consistent calibration result over the entire surface. The original fabric backing of an off-the-shelf prosthetic liner was removed and replaced with the developed construct. When worn in the shoe of an able-bodied participant for 7.5 h per day for 28 days, the sensor well maintained the shape of its calibration curve at the start of wear, but a distance offset (shifting of the y-intercept) was in...
Source: Sensors - Category: Biotechnology Authors: Tags: Article Source Type: research
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