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Developing a cosmetic cover for transtibial amputees

Nordberg, Alicia LU (2021) MMKM10 20211
Innovation
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... (More)
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. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Nordberg, Alicia LU
supervisor
organization
course
MMKM10 20211
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Amputation, Prosthesis, Cosmetic, Cover, Product development, Design concept, User centered.
language
English
id
9053275
date added to LUP
2021-06-14 09:46:43
date last changed
2021-06-14 09:46:43
@misc{9053275,
  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.}},
  author       = {{Nordberg, Alicia}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Developing a cosmetic cover for transtibial amputees}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}