This project was intended to develop a device and methodology for the automated production of sockets for artificial limbs. The device uses a technique of plastic deposition to fabricate sockets.
Plastic material is melted and extruded through a shape forming die.
The outflow of the extruder is a ribbon of melted plastic with cross-sectional dimensions of 5mm width and 0.75mm height. Tensile specimens are cut from pseudo-sockets fabricated using the device. The pseudo-sockets have regular, geometric shapes which allow the specimens to conform to ASTM standards. The specimens are tested for ultimate tensile strength and fatigue life and are compared to similar values obtained from more traditional fabrication techniques and from factory-delivered extruded plate. Clinical trials involve the fitting of sockets to amputees and evaluating their mechanical performance over time.