FURI | Spring 2018

Active Temperature Managment for Transtibial Prosthetic Sockets

Transtibial amputations are rapidly increasing due to dysvascular complications associated with diabetes and 53% of amputees experience heat discomfort with their current prosthetic. Active temperature management with thermally conductive metals and Peltier thermoelectric cooling modules offers a rapid, solid-state, and low profile solution for fluctuating residual limb temperatures throughout the day. Using an Arduino feedback loop detects small temperature changes and the appropriate thermoelectric cooling response is administered. The impact of this research increases the independent mobility of a growing population of amputees, boosting prosthetic use and overall quality of life. Future work involves adapting to other prosthetic types.