Design of a system to evaluate the thermal conductivity of prosthetic materials

Prostheses can be uncomfortable to the wearer due to the entrapment of heat and sweat within the socket. To maintain a healthy, clean, and comfortable residual limb, the socket must have the ability to keep the limb cool. This project is the design of a system to determine the thermal conductivity of materials that interface the residual limb with the prosthetic socket. This system will enable the user to take heat flux and temperature measurements and use the thermal conductivity equation to calculate the thermal conductivity for each prosthetic material. Socks, socket linings, and outer socket layers will be tested by placing each material on top of the other to replicate how it would be used in a prosthesis.