Smartphone Telemedicine: A Novel Workflow for Creating Prosthetic
Sockets Using Semi-automated Photogrammetry
Abstract
Abstract—Recent trends in the field of prosthetic technology
are shifting towards all-digital approaches. These digital technologies
have the potential to augment the current models of clinical healthcare
and reach more amputees than currently possible. Unfortunately, most of
the equipment needed to design and build digitally shaped prostheses is
expensive or requires a high level of expertise. Objective:
This paper developed several methods to enable the digital fabrication
of prostheses using only low cost tools that do not require extensive
specialized training. Methods: The authors built a cell phone
application in Android Studio that enables automated collection of image
data which can be rendered into accurate 3D-models using photogrammetry
on a remote server. They then developed a new protocol to shape these
residual limb models into functional prosthetic sockets using the freely
available software Autodesk Meshmixer. Results: Finally, the
authors ran a case study where they rectified a prosthetic socket for an
amputee and compared this model to a socket built by a clinician.
Conclusion: This case study showed that these new methods can
successfully create accurate and functional prosthetic sockets.
Significance: By leveraging ubiquitous low cost smartphone
technology, the authors believe that amputees in underserved areas, who
currently face large barriers both in cost and physical access to proper
care, could soon be able to obtain affordable prosthetic limbs.