Automatic Control of Prosthetic Socket Size for People WithTranstibial Amputation: Implementation and Evaluation

Objective: The purpose was to design, implement, and test a control system for a motor-actuated, cable-panel prosthetic socket that automatically maintains socket fit by continuous adjustment of the socket size. Methods: Sockets with motor-driven adjustable panels were fabricated for participants with transtibial amputation. A proportional-integral control system was implemented to adjust socket size based on Socket Fit Metric (SFM) data collected by an inductive sensor embedded within the socket wall. The sensed distance was representative of limb-to-socket distance. Testing was conducted with participants walking on a treadmill to characterize the system's capability to maintain a set point and to respond to a change in the set point. Results: Test results from 10 participants with transtibial amputation showed that the Integral of Absolute Error (IAE) to maintain a set point ranged from 0.001 to 0.046 mm with a median of 0.003 mm. When the set point was changed, IAE errors ranged from 0.001 to 0.005 mm, with a median of 0.003 mm. An IAE of 0.003 mm corresponded to approximately a 0.08% socket volume error, which was considered clinically acceptable. Conclusion: The capability of the control system to maintain and respond to a change in set point indicates that it is ready for evaluation outside of the laboratory. Significance: Integration of the developed control system into everyday prostheses may improve quality of life of prosthesis users by relieving them of the burden of continually adjusting socket size to maintain fit.