Developing a cosmetic cover for transtibial amputees

Abstract: For someone who has undergone an amputation, it is important to be able to decide what the prosthesis should look like. Since many people today choose to have some sort of cover on their prosthesis, either to fill the void or to regain the feeling of a leg, it is very important that it is something that the user feels comfortable with. To go through an amputation is often a very shocking event and to not make this situation more challenging, the process of making the prosthesis look like a real leg should not be complicated and should not result in any complications. Throughout this master thesis, which is executed in collaboration with the prosthetic foot manufacturer Lindhe Xtend AB, a concept for a new cosmetic cover for lower leg amputees is developed. In this process, the users have been the main focus and it is their thoughts and opinions together with the orthopaedic engineers’ thoughts and opinions that laid the foundation for the project. With the information that was gathered in the user study, the requirements for the product could be specified and prioritized. With these requirements in mind, several concepts were developed through an iterative design process where brainstorming, sketching and prototype building were alternated. The two best concepts were selected for further development and full-scale prototypes were made. The users and the orthopaedic engineers got to say what they thought about the two concepts, and with their opinions, the final concept could be chosen. The master thesis resulted in a design concept for a new cosmetic cover for lower leg prostheses. The cover is easy to mount and to take off, and it does not cause any of the complications that can occur with today's foam cosmesis. The cover consists of two parts, the main cover, and the foot insert. Together they give the shape and the feeling of a lower leg. This solution can help lower leg amputees feel more comfortable with their prosthesis, and to accept this new stage in life more easily.