Viewing Study NCT06597266



Ignite Creation Date: 2024-10-26 @ 3:40 PM
Last Modification Date: 2024-10-26 @ 3:40 PM
Study NCT ID: NCT06597266
Status: COMPLETED
Last Update Posted: None
First Post: 2024-09-03

Brief Title: Feasibility Study on Using Smart Templates That Link Rectification Approaches to Particular Patient Characteristics for Transtibial Prosthetic Socket Fitting
Sponsor: None
Organization: None

Study Overview

Official Title: Feasibility Study on Using Smart Templates That Link Rectification Approaches to Particular Patient Characteristics for Socket Fitting
Status: COMPLETED
Status Verified Date: 2024-09
Last Known Status: None
Delayed Posting: No
If Stopped, Why?: Not Stopped
Has Expanded Access: No
If Expanded Access, NCT#: N/A
Has Expanded Access, NCT# Status: N/A
Acronym: None
Brief Summary: Prosthetic socket comfort and fit is important in ensuring individuals with amputation can get the most use from their prosthetic limb Researchers from the University of Southampton and a spin out company Radii Devices Ltd have been developing software based upon the cutting-edge of engineering design to support clinicians in the design of the socket

The technology uses data from previous socket designs and limb shapes to develop and train the software developed working with Opcare Ltd a prosthetics provider The software suggests appropriate socket design shapes templates that may be optimal based on previous designs and whether they have fit and been comfortable

The aim of this study is to assess the feasibility of sockets designed by the Radii Devices software and a preliminary comparison against socket designed by a clinician known as a prosthetist Combining qualitative semi-structured interview and quantitative Socket Comfort methods will enable understanding of the strengths and limitations and inform further development of the Radii Devices technology into full design software for prosthetists that provides optimal socket design support

This study is funded by an Innovate UK Biomedical Catalyst grant and will be carried out over a 6 month period at Oxford Roehampton and Bristol Opcare NHS prosthetic services Prosthetists at these services and patients with a below-knee amputation will be eligible to apply if they are interested Participation will be split into two stages In Stage One participants will be asked to trial two sockets designed using different methods at their fitting appointment instead of the usual one If participants would like to participate in the second stage they will be asked about their experiences of socket fit and comfort in interviews and within a short socket comfort diary for patients
Detailed Description: A well-fitting comfortable prosthetic socket is an urgent priority for the 170 million people worldwide with amputation as it stops people being able to achieve their goals and participate in society For clinics providing sockets there is an increasing demand for prosthetic limbs increasing costs and a shortage of prosthetists the people who fit the limbs to the patients The prosthetic socket connects a persons remaining limb with the rest of the prosthetic limb When a prosthetic socket does not fit properly it causes skin irritation blistering and in the worst cases ulcers It will also lead to patients avoiding prosthetic use altogether or repeat clinic visits These sockets are complicated to design due to differences in patient limb shape skin properties and ability to tolerate pressure Therefore there is a need to support prosthetists to achieve the best socket fit they can for the patient quicker and with fewer complications that can lead to patients not wanting to wear their prosthetic limb

Socket design involves a process called rectification which aims to optimise comfort stability and mobility for the prosthesis user To achieve this the prosthetist will remove material or add material to shape the final socket design Rectification is a very complicated problem yet there is currently little guidance or evidence to support the process This leaves the socket dependent upon the skill and experience of the individual prosthetist who require years of training and experience Even then getting an optimal socket fit can take up to 9 clinic visits

The development of evidence-based socket design to improve socket fit is a primary objective of the International Society for Prosthetics ampampamp Orthotics Critical to this is the ability to use information about past socket designs to learn from and increase understanding of the socket design process This need goes back many decades with Klasson asking the following questions in 1982 which are still unsolved today

What is a good fit
What information is necessary to achieve a good fit
Which processing of the information is necessary to arrive at a good fit

Since 2014 University of Southampton researchers have developed technology to meet the patient and clinic need guided by input from prosthetics providers including Opcare and patients This work has so far resulted in world-leading research on analysing shape and optimising socket design and the spin out of a company Radii Devices As part of a collaboration with Opcare in November 2019 a study was carried out to assess the current socket design software understand current practice and how socket design could be supported Five prosthetists of varying experience were recruited and key areas in which computer software can be improved were identified including

1 inclusion of more data to support design
2 a more intuitive interface and
3 the ability to adapt to individual clinician preferences

Challenges include the complicated 3D shapes within socket design and how to get and visualise meaningful data about the design process Researchers at the University of Southampton and Radii Devices have developed a process which uses computational geometry data science and biomechanical engineering expertise to achieve this The developed software learns from past socket designs to suggest optimal socket design for an individual patient This software will be tested within this research study to compare it against Opcares current design process This will enable researchers to understand the strengths and weaknesses of the technology and inform the development of design software incorporating this technology in the best way to support socket design

Study Oversight

Has Oversight DMC: None
Is a FDA Regulated Drug?: None
Is a FDA Regulated Device?: None
Is an Unapproved Device?: None
Is a PPSD?: None
Is a US Export?: None
Is an FDA AA801 Violation?: None