Diabetes patients often suffer from neuropathy - a loss of sensation in the legs and feet that leads to the amputation of a limb. Diabetic foot ulcers are the cause of most lower-limb amputations. A research group consisting of MME professorCarolyn Ren,in collaboration withJames Tung - principal investigator from Neural and Rehabilitation Lab, and other physicians have come up with a ground-breaking prosthesis model for diabetic amputees.
A typical prosthesis that is used after amputation includes fabric and silicone liners that can be manually added or removed to improve fit, which is made difficult by neuropathy due to poor sensation and could lead to more damage to the remaining limb.
Prototype of the new soft robotic prosthesis(right) and its proof-of-concept rendering(left).
To address this problem, the research group developed a pressure-driven soft robotic prosthesis. It contains a microfluidic chip with 10 on-chip pneumatic valves, while the entire chip weighs only 10 grams - even lighter than a AAA battery. The full system is controlled by a miniature air pump and two solenoid valves that provide air to the microfluidic chip. The control box is small and light enough to be easily worn as part of the prosthesis, while all 10 actuators are able to produce desired pressures, suggesting that the device is working well.
The research group now plans on additional research as well as improving its biological model - helping more and more people suffering from neuropathy in the future. A detailed story can be found on Newswise, by the American Institute of Physics, and their research can be accessed on AIP Biomicrofluidics.