Mechanical characterisation of bulk soft tissue for intelligent CAD-FEA prosthetics application

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify appropriate mechanical properties of the bulk soft tissue for future stump socket interface finite element modelling. In vivo indentation experiments were carried out on lower limbs of an amputee and a normal subject wearing an individual RMM prosthetic socket and brace respectively, using a custom designed indentor system. The indentation force-displacement response of the soft tissue was then used as the inputs to calculate tissue modulus using Hayes’ solution. In addition, discomfort and pain was also investigated during the experiments. Highest tissue modulus was observed at bony prominences locality followed by tendon and then soft tissue for bo..