The goal of the proposed technology is to make prosthetic limbs more comfortable for soldiers and veterans sustaining limb amputation. Often a prosthesis will not fit well because the amputee's residual limb changes size over time. A patient might find the prosthesis very tight in the morning and difficult to put on, while late in the day the prosthesis is very loose and feels unstable, making it hard to walk.

The proposed effort addresses the need by bringing a novel technology to the prosthetist's clinical tool chest. The new technology is an instrument to dynamically monitor fluid volume changes in residual limbs while the prosthesis is being worn. Practitioners can quickly diagnose, understand, and treat residual limb volume change problems from the information this tool provides, a substantial improvement over the weeks or months previously needed to monitor and predict volume change based upon a patient's subjective feedback. A practitioner and patient can quickly and easily test different devices to control limb fluid volume so that treatment can be optimized immediately for the individual. The technology represents a revolution in prosthetics care that will enhance the quality of life for wounded warriors and civilians who have limb amputation. With comfortable prostheses, soldiers, veterans, and the general public with limb amputation will stay active and healthy and not be hampered by their disability.

The outcome from the proposed effort will be a small device that fits within a prosthesis to measure regional limb fluid volume changes over time. In the clinic, the device will display the data via wireless connection to a stationary computer. Monitoring outside of the clinic for extended intervals is achieved via an on-board data storage device or global positioning system connection. The device is also designed to integrate with limb volume management devices to provide dynamic volume feedback control, essential for soldiers in the field to ensure that they are not slowed down by residual limb volume alterations or the need to make continual prosthesis adjustments. Our intent is to create a tool immediately useful to practitioners treating injured soldiers, and also immediately available to the scientific research community to investigate and better understand limb volume physiology and to enhance treatments and new technologies to overcome their detrimental effects. With our corporate partners DE Hokanson and Spencer Technologies, proven bioinstrumentation products companies, we expect a functional device that meets both the need for accurate clinical diagnostic tools and the need for enhanced prosthetic devices for active military individuals within the four-year project period.