Finite Element Based Design Of Prosthetic Socket And Socket/Artificial Limb Connection

Abstract

The paper presents the progress made on the development of finite element based design of prosthetic socket and socket/artificial limb connection. The data made available to author from the UTHSCSA-Rehabilitation Engineering Laboratory (REL) in the native GEO file format was converted to DXF file format by using a FORTRAN 77 computer program developed at the UTSA Division of Engineering. The DXF file conversion allowed the surface profile to be viewed and manipulated within AutoCAD software. Preliminary design drawing for socket, socketlartificial limb connection was developed and converted to IGES file format for use within the ANSYS finite element analysis program. A Finite element model was created within ANSYS, pertinent loads and pressure were applied to the model, and stresses and deflections were determined in the socket.