Structural validation of a patient specific 3D printed prosthetic socket, using Finite Element Analysis

Transtibial amputations are unfortunate surgeries that leave patientes without a lower limb. Given patient-specific needs, tailored made prosthetic legs must accommodate to each patient. With the use of novel technonologies such as Computed Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) we simulated the mechanical behavior of a prothetic socket made of polyamide 12, manufactured by powder bed fusion techonology. Following the ISO10328 guidelines, herein we evaluated the mechanical integrity this patient-specific prosthetic socket by Finite Element Analysis (FEA) under loading conditions for the two critical phases of the gait cycle, which are heel strike and toe off.