Developing smart clothing to monitor pressure on prosthetic limbs
Official title: Towards Physical-Interface Pressure Monitoring Outside the Laboratory with Lower-Limb Electronic Clothing and Robust Optimization
Funded at University of Notre Dame · NIH-11051870 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is testing new smart clothing for people with prosthetic limbs that can track pressure between their residual limb and the prosthetic socket all day, helping to prevent issues like sores and improve comfort and fit.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R21 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Notre Dame NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Notre Dame, United States) |
| Project start | March 7, 2024 |
| Project end | February 28, 2027 |
| Funding year | 2025 |
| Award (this year) | $189,538 |
| NIH project number | 5R21EB034879-02 |
| Project ID | NIH-11051870 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research include individuals with amputated limbs who use prosthetic devices, particularly those with conditions that affect sensation, such as diabetes.
✕Less likely to help
Patients who do not use prosthetic limbs or have intact limbs may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research aims to create innovative lower-limb clothing equipped with electronic sensors that can continuously monitor pressure between residual limbs and prosthetic sockets for over 16 hours outside of clinical settings. By utilizing advanced algorithms and biomechanical models, the project seeks to automatically calibrate and analyze pressure data, which is crucial for preventing complications such as ulcers in individuals using prosthetics. The findings could provide valuable insights for clinicians to improve the design and fit of prosthetic devices, ultimately enhancing patient comfort and health outcomes.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly reduce the risk of pressure-related injuries for prosthetic users, leading to better overall health and quality of life.
How similar studies have gone: While there has been research on sensor technology for prosthetics, this approach of integrating electronic textiles for long-term monitoring in real-world settings is relatively novel.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Bolívar-Nieto, Edgar Alberto — University of Notre Dame
- Study coordinator: Bolívar-Nieto, Edgar Alberto
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.