Transtibial Prosthetic Socket Produced Using Additive Manufacturing

The paper deals with a rapid design and manufacturing process of a prosthetic socket for patients with transtibial amputation. Non-parametric modeling (convergent modelling) and additive manufacturing (AM) leads to a reduction of the production time as well as reduction of a number of casted models needed in conventional production. This can be done by using modern facilities as an accurate 3D scanner. A socket adapter could be integrated into the single geometry with using AM. Two options for the integration of the socket adapter were considered. A space around the adapter was formed of full material volume in the first one. The second one was using the lattice structure. The Siemens NX software was used for design. The prosthetic sockets were manufactured with the HP Jet Fusion 4200 printer. A structural analysis was simulated in Siemens Nastran structural solver for comparison of both variants. The socket was loaded with force 3400 N that is equivalent to a quadruple of patient weight. The deformation and the weight of each socket were compared in the simulation. Manufactured prosthetic socket with lattice structure was tested with maximum load 3400 N and then to the failure on Zwick/Roell Z250.