Technique for Automatic Characterisation of an Amputee's Residual Limb

Mulvana, H. , Parker, M.F., Cochran, S. , Spence, B. and Solomonidis, S. (2006) Technique for Automatic Characterisation of an Amputee's Residual Limb. In: IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium 2006, Vancouver, Canada, 3-6 Oct 2006, pp. 2088-2091. ISBN 9781424402014 (doi: 10.1109/ULTSYM.2006.500)

Abstract

The work reported here is aimed at the development of a non-contact method to excite a focused, low-frequency acoustic radiation field in the residual limb of a lower-limb amputee. In conjunction with the estimated acoustic radiation force, resultant tissue displacement can be used to estimate elasticity and could aid the prosthetist during limb assessment and socket fabrication. In this work a piezoceramic focusing bowl has been used to create a two-element, confocal array driven at f ± δf/2. The nonlinear nature of tissue as a propagation medium supports the creation of a parametric array, and waves at the sum (2f) and difference (δf) frequencies are generated in the bowl's focal zone. Higher frequencies are attenuated strongly and the low frequency of interest remains as an excitation source. Low frequency excitation is essential to this application to simulate the tissue loading that will occur as a result of gait.

• Item Type: Conference Proceedings
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Cochran, Professor Sandy and Mulvana, Dr Helen
• Authors: Mulvana, H., Parker, M.F., Cochran, S., Spence, B., and Solomonidis, S.
• College/School: College of Science and Engineering > School of Engineering > Systems Power and Energy
• ISSN: 1051-0117
• ISBN: 9781424402014