10088819Improving residual limb (stump) comfort for upper and lower limb amputeesClosedInvestment AcceleratorInnovate UKThe project is aimed at improving comfort for amputees at their residual limb (stump)/prosthetic interface. The number of amputees is growing as a percentage of the population caused by greater life expectancy, increase in diseases like diabetes and armed conflicts. Following amputation the stump is given time to heal particularly for trauma caused amputations when the skin is often grafted. Once the stump is healed the amputee will enter a rehabilitation period and usually be fitted with a prosthetic. To allow engagement with the prosthetic a sock or silicone liner can be used over the stump. It is the interface between the sock/liner and prosthetic which can be problematical. Friction at the interface causes irritation which may in turn lead to blistering. This is uncomfortable and can cause a lack of confidence and limit independence and mobility. Two main solutions are available to mitigate the discomfort e.g. foam pads and anti friction materials which fit between the stump and prosthetic. Neither are ideal as they only offer cushioning or anti friction. Our patented technology exists within foot care in the form of a gel filled pad which sticks to the inside of footwear, not on the skin, moving with the foot to reduce friction. It is this technology, in the form of a pad of larger diameter than the one used in foot care, which is being tested in this project. The larger pad sticks to the inside of the prosthetic. There are three work packages (WPs) -- WP 1 - Baselining. A cohort of sixteen lower limb amputees with discomfort history will be recruited covering a mix of ages, gender, ethnicities. Work will include laboratory assessment of the pads to understand their anti friction capacity at the stump/prosthetic interface, gait measurements and a survey on prosthetic comfort. WP 2 - Lower limb. Each amputee will be provided with pads to place between their stump and prosthetic. Three assessments at eight week intervals including testing the benefit of the pads on stump irritation. This will be qualitative in terms of perceived comfort and confidence and quantitative regarding reduction in irritation area and blister numbers. WP 3 - Child/upper limb. Six child and six upper limb amputees will be invited to join and help understand their discomfort issues. This will inform the pad development for size and shape. Following completion of a successful project the aim is to commercialise the product.