A method for the verification of structural integrity of lower limbs prostheses

In this study an experimental device for testing the structural integrity of lower limb (transtibial and transfemoral) prostheses is proposed and studied, in accordance with the ISO 10328 Standard. Aim of the development of this device is to mechanically test these kinds of prostheses, for claiming the compliance with the standard. In the first part of the paper, experimental setup of the laboratory is described for the different kinds of prescribed tests. In the second part, the test case of a transtibial prosthesis for children is proposed. After verifying the compliance with the standard of the studied prosthesis, values recorded during the test (i.e. strains or displacements) are used to validate a FE model of the component. The FE model represents a powerful tool to customize the prosthesis to fit the patient's requirements from the design phase and/or to check the possibility of optimizing it in terms of costs.