No Longer Smooth: Introducing Striations into Prosthetic Socket Construction to Improve Suspension, Rotation, Fit and Comfort

This application addresses the FY15/16 JPC-8/CRMRP NMSIRA Focus Area “Current assistive technology, including prosthetic and orthotic, characteristics that limit patient interaction, usability and durability,” specifically “lack of human-device interface to address limb health, comfort, and function,” which are major concerns for persons with amputation. The prosthetic socket forms the interface between the residual limb and prosthesis, as such it is responsible for the comfortable and efficient transfer of load bearing forces between the human and device. It has long been a paradigm in the field of prosthetics that sockets must be smooth in order to be comfortable, and this was especially true when subjects wore rigid sockets directly in contact with the residual limb. However, the introduction of elastomeric (gel) liners worn between the residual limb and rigid socket obviate the need for a totally smooth socket or liner. Hence, it has been postulated that textured interfaces may improve socket stabilization and suspension by increasing friction at the interface between the socket, liner and residual limb. Textured surfaces increase the surface area in contact between objects and hence increase the coefficient of sliding friction.