Modular Prosthetic Socket Control for Rich Sensory Feedback
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing prosthetic systems for upper limbs face challenges in achieving a balance between customizable, tailor-made prosthetic sockets and standardized, complex functionalities, particularly in sensory feedback and control, while maintaining simplicity and comfort.
Innovation Solution
A modular prosthetic system with a mechanical limb and a prosthetic socket that houses an electronic control module, including a triaxial inertial unit, vibrating device, and a programmable microprocessor, decoupling control and feedback functions from the limb, allowing for customizable sensory feedback and operational commands through bidirectional interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If prosthetic sockets are made to measure in a personalized way to adapt to the patient's stump, then the comfort and ease of operation are improved, but the manufacturing complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthetic system is divided into modular components: a standardized mechanical hand unit and a customized socket. The socket is further segmented into a base portion and a liner portion that can be separately manufactured and assembled. This segmentation allows the complex customization to be confined to the socket portion while the mechanical hand remains standardized.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system is extracted from the mechanical hand and placed within the socket structure. The socket contains control electronics, sensors, and processing units that interface with the patient's stump, separating the customization requirements from the standardized mechanical components.
2Adaptability or versatility
If sophisticated artificial hands with complex functionalities are provided, then the operational capabilities are improved, but the control complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements bidirectional control with sensory feedback loops. Sensors in the mechanical hand detect tactile, force, and position information, which is processed by the control system within the socket and fed back to the patient through the stump interface. This feedback mechanism simplifies control by providing the patient with intuitive sensory information about the hand's interaction with objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket acts as an intermediary between the patient's nervous system and the sophisticated mechanical hand. It contains processing units that translate complex hand sensor data into simplified control signals and deliver feedback to the patient, mediating the complexity between the advanced mechanical components and the user.
3Reliability
If sensory feedback functions are integrated into the prosthetic system, then the proprioception and patient control are improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sensory feedback functions are merged into a single integrated control system within the socket. The socket contains processing units that handle tactile feedback, force feedback, position feedback, and proprioceptive information from various sensors in the mechanical hand, consolidating multiple complex functions into one centralized location.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket serves as an intermediary that receives complex sensor data from the mechanical hand and transforms it into simplified feedback signals that can be delivered to the patient through the stump. This mediation reduces the apparent complexity by providing unified sensory output.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system provides rich sensory feedback and efficient control, enhancing patient interaction with the prosthetic limb, while maintaining simplicity and modularity, enabling standardization of mechanical components and customization of control interfaces.
Implementation Method 1
it comprises at least one inertial unit triaxial
Implementation Method 2
it comprises at least one vibrating device
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3
AI summary
The present invention indicates a modular prosthetic system for an upper limb in which the functional commands of the mechanical limb can be generated by exploiting additional input data with respect to the only muscle contractions of the muscles present on the patient's stump, and the patient can receive a sensory feedback the richer as possible, regarding to the functionality of the mechanical limb. The modularity of the prosthetic system allows the use of a mechanical artificial limb that essentially implements the pure operational and sensory functions, while the control functions by the patient, and the feedback functions provided to the patient, are managed by a subsystem (called control module) distinct and decoupled from the artificial limb, with which it interacts through appropriate interfaces. Upper limb prostheses conceived according to the teachings of the invention allow to preserve some methods of making and applying a prosthesis typical of the prior art: in other words, the process that involves choosing an artificial hand or limb available from a set of mechanical limbs available, and adapting it to the needs of a patient 200 by means of a prosthetic socket 1 10 of simple manufacture, but made tailored. The invention makes it possible to exploit in the best way the functionalities of the artificial limb, leaving the control to a processor control module equipped with appropriate interfaces and, thanks to its conceptual modularity, it is already set up to integrate any type of technology that allows to increase the interactions between a patient's body and the prosthesis he wears.