Image courtesy of KIMM
The Korea Institute of Machinery and Materials (KIMM) has developed a smart, customizable prosthetic socket that automatically fills the socket with air upon detecting the empty space within in real time based on artificial intelligence (AI). This new technology, developed by senior researcher Kang-ho Lee’s research team at the KIMM Department of Medical Devices can respond up to 15% of changes in the volume of the amputated area, which changes frequently depending on blood circulation, skin tissue condition, and nutritional status of the patient. Accordingly, the prosthetic socket relieves pain in the affected area by distributing the applied pressure while minimizing the socket’s movement, which also serves to reduce fatigue while walking.
The research team made it possible to analyze the gait stability of the prosthetic user by linking the socket with a smartphone application so that the patient can monitor the pressure inside the prosthetic socket in real time. The user can also directly control the injection and discharge of air in the socket by setting the socket to either automatic or manual mode. The socket continuously measures the wearer’s gait stability based on AI. As such, it greatly reduces any stress on the amputation site by controlling the volume of the prosthetic socket and modifying it in real time according to changes in the walking environment such as flat ground, stairs, or inclines, and changes in walking speed.
