System for Prosthetic Alignment Utilizing Real-time Kinematics (spAUrk)

Major advances in prosthetic devices and aggressive rehabilitation over recent years have enabled many warfighters experiencing amputation to regain functional mobility, and often return to full active duty. A critical step to ensuring that these prosthetic devices function seamlessly with the patient is the initial alignment process. This alignment process is often iterative and time consuming, and can be emotionally difficult and frustrating for the patient. The perfect alignment is often an elusive goal due to the subjectivity and variability in alignment techniques and prosthetists as well as adaptation by the patient to the device. A standardized method that provides a baseline prosthetic alignment would enable the prosthetist to input known parameters and obtain a patient-specific baseline, from which the alignment could be fine-tuned. To accomplish this, our team of researchers and engineers at IS4S and Auburn University will develop the System for Prosthetic Alignment Utilizing Real-Time Kinematics (SPAURK) that automatically provides key alignment measurements and biomechanical reference points to generate an ideal biomechanical alignment for the patient. It also delivers alignment data in real-time during the patients alignment process, providing an initial alignment that is grounded in fundamental biomechanics, yet tailored specifically to the individual