2009 R&D 100 Winner
Misalignment of a lower-extremity prosthesis can lead to instability, tissue breakdown, and discomfort for the patient. The Compas Computerized Prosthesis Alignment System from OrthoCare Innovations, LLC, Washington, D.C., provides the prosthetist with information about what is happening bio-mechanically, removing guesswork and assumptions about making adjustments. The Compas includes a titanium sensor that measures the socket reactions (torques) in the anterior/posterior plane and the right/left planes dynamically. The system also determines the weight, balance, and gait timing of the prosthesis. During evaluations in the clinic, a master module is mated to the sensor; this permanent part of the prosthesis, provides power, Bluetooth connection, a gyroscope, and a laser. Compas communicates with a host computer running software system that automatically interprets the Compas data with proprietary fuzzy logic algorithms, and displays and records the output numerically and graphically. Two distinct modes allow the prosthetist to optimize both static standing balance and dynamic walking alignment.
Technology
Computerized prosthesis alignment system
Developer
OrthoCare Innovations, LLC
