Design of a novel Tri-axial force sensor for optimized design of prosthetic socket for lower limb amputees

Realizing a prosthesis for lower limbs amputee is a time consuming and costly process. The socket design results particularly challenging due the need of tailoring its shape on the residual limb of the amputee. Socketmaster is an European project aiming to improve this process by integrating several micro sensors in a master socket, allowing a fast customization of prosthetic socket for lower limb. One of the most important parameter that the master socket has to monitor is the force interaction between the leg and the socket. This paper describe a low cost tri-axial force sensor designed to be implemented in a master socket.