Evaluation of the mechanical properties of the bone-implant interface in lower limb amputees

Prosthetic limbs can provide a tremendous improvement in the quality of life and mobility of amputees. The conventional method of attaching a prosthetic limb is a socket that is custom designed to fit to the residual limb. Difficulties with socket fit attachments has led to the use of titanium implants as an alternative method for the attachment of prostheses. Using skin-penetrating implants, the prosthesis is attached directly to the bones of the residual limb. The use of these types of implants for attachment of lower limb prosthetics is now being performed in several centers world-wide. The success of these implants relies on a structural integration between the implant and the living bone. Evaluation of the integrity of the bone-implant interface is important to prescribe loading, to identify the risk of failure, and to monitor the long-term health of the implant. However, there are currently no methods available for clinical assessment of implant stability in lower limb amputees. The proposed research makes use of an experimental-numerical approach to provide a non-invasive measure of implant stability. The benefits to the partner organization will be the development of a clinically useful tool for monitoring implant stability that may potentially be commercialized and marketed

Faculty Supervisor:

Lindsey Westover

Student:

Mostafa Mohamed

Partner:

Clinisys EMR Inc

Discipline:

Engineering - mechanical

Sector:

University:

University of Alberta

Program: