APL24: Persistent in-line load sensor for osseointegrated implants

Program:

Mechanical Engineering

Project Description:

The APL24 team developed a 6-axis force-torque sensor to characterize the loads on a bone-mounted (osseo-integrated, OI) upper-arm implant. New OI prostheses permit in-line force transmission and thereby more control and comfort than other prosthetic attachments. The loads on the bone need to be understood as safe to have future technology FDA approved. The team created a device, attached proximal to the elbow, that can accurately and rapidly measure the loads that the bone experiences. The team developed algorithms to separate the measurements into three distinct loading modes and magnitudes. Checking and reporting that data in real time against threshold values then allows the user or clinician to capture actual loading during routine activities.

Team Members

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Project Mentors, Sponsors, and Partners

  • JHU Applied Physics Laboratory

Course Faculty

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Project Links

Additional Project Information

Project Photo

Project Photo Caption:

Some APL24 team members with the sponsor, showing the osseo-integrated arm prosthetic. The APL24 team developed a way to detect forces on the implant to understand their feasibility under every day use.

Project Video