Knowledge management and customised 3D modelling to improve prosthesis design

This paper presents a new approach to design lower limb prosthesis focusing the attention on geometrical model issues. The new design approach has been developed within national and international research projects and, at present, "ad hoc" tools to carry out specific tasks are under development. Within this context, an important role is played by product and process knowledge and by specific CAD tools to design the most critical component, the socket. The paper discusses acquisition and formalisation of the knowledge related to the prosthesis design, with particular attention to the socket, and presents main features of a CAD tool specifically intended for this highly customised component.