Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing of below-knee prosthetics

The purpose of this research is to automate the design of lower limb prosthetics, specifically below-knee prosthetics, for patients who have undergone a loss of one of their lower limbs. It is shown how CAD and CAM will enable the prosthetist the opportunity to fully design the prosthesis using three-dimensional solid modeling as a medium, before final fabrication is completed. The designs will become more exact, requiring less of an artisan attempt at design. In the case of patients, who will require several prosthetic devices throughout their lives, the ability to store data on the progress of the prosthetic device may become a valuable tool in the overall rehabilitation and development of the patient. It is hoped that the use of CAD/CAM in the design and fabrication of children´s prosthetic devices will enable faster preparation and fitting times than exist today