IP Requirement: TerraSense Solutions IP

Experience Requirement:

– Mechanical Design

– Coding/sensor design

– Rapid Prototyping

Lower-limb amputees face a significant sensory gap when using prosthetic devices. Without the ability to feel the ground beneath them, users must rely heavily on vision to monitor foot placement, increasing cognitive load, slowing gait, and reducing stability—particularly on uneven or unpredictable surfaces. This lack of sensation also prevents early detection of potentially dangerous conditions such as excessive localized pressure, unstable footing, or thermal extremes, which can lead to falls, skin damage, and, in severe cases, further amputation.

While sensory feedback systems for prosthetics have been explored, most current technologies are designed for upper-limb devices, leaving lower-limb amputees—who make up the majority of the amputee population—without effective solutions. The few options that exist for lower-limb users are either limited to single-modality feedback, making them susceptible to habituation, or require invasive surgery to connect directly to nerves. Although invasive systems can improve function, most amputees decline them due to surgical risks, recovery burden, and personal preference to avoid permanent implants.

The researcher has proposed a non-invasive solution through the development of a fully integrated sensory feedback system for lower-limb prosthetic users, consisting of a prosthetic foot insert with embedded multi-modal sensors, a processing interface, and a socket liner equipped with an array of tactile stimulators. The insert’s sensors would detect distributed pressure, texture, temperature, and ground orientation, transmitting this data to the liner where it is translated into coordinated tactile patterns on the residual limb—restoring an intuitive sense of ground contact without requiring visual monitoring. It is anticipated that the researchers will develop a system capable not only of providing real-time sensory feedback but also of recording pressure and gait data over time, enabling clinicians to identify early signs of potentially harmful patterns, such as those leading to ulceration, instability, or further amputation. This preventative capability would allow intervention before severe complications arise, maximizing long-term mobility and limb health.

If successful, this will be the first non-invasive, clinically viable system to restore multi-dimensional sensory feedback to lower-limb amputees while also integrating preventative gait analysis. With a preexisting partnership with Hanger Clinic, it is expected that the project will transition directly into clinical trials and the FDA approval process. By reducing fall risk, improving gait symmetry, preventing secondary amputations, and enhancing quality of life, this system has the potential to redefine the standard of care for lower-limb prosthetic users worldwide.​