Smart lower-leg clothing that tracks pressure inside prosthetic sockets
Towards Physical-Interface Pressure Monitoring Outside the Laboratory with Lower-Limb Electronic Clothing and Robust Optimization
This project develops smart lower-leg clothing and software to track pressure where a prosthetic socket meets the residual limb for people who use leg prostheses, including those with diabetes.
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 ID | NIH-11307148 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
If I wear this smart clothing it will use built-in fabric sensors, motion sensors, small load sensors, and computer models to figure out where and how hard my prosthetic socket presses on my residual limb. The system is being designed to run for more than 16 hours so it can record everyday activity outside the clinic and automatically calibrate itself so I don't need an expert to set it up. Researchers will combine sensor signals and biomechanical modeling to map pressure locations and magnitudes relative to my body. The goal is to give clinicians useful information that could help prevent sores or other problems from poorly fitting sockets.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates are adults with lower-limb amputations who use prosthetic sockets regularly, especially people with reduced foot/limb sensation such as from diabetes or spinal cord injury, and who can wear sensors and complete out-of-clinic monitoring.
Not a fit: People without lower-limb amputations, those who use only upper-limb prostheses, or individuals unable to wear the clothing or attend required setup visits are unlikely to benefit from this work.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this could help detect harmful pressure patterns during normal daily use and guide adjustments to reduce ulcers and other skin injuries.
How similar studies have performed: Previous work has used pressure sensors and smart textiles in lab settings with promising results, but long-term, user-worn continuous monitoring with automatic calibration outside the clinic is largely new.
Where this research is happening
Notre Dame, United States
- 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 below.