Development of a Novel Lower Limb Prosthesis Using Low Cost Composite Materials

The increased use of graphite-reinforced advanced composites in pros thetics has increased both function and comfort for the amputee. However, lower income or less active amputees now have a more limited choice of affordable products. A new below-knee prosthetic system has been developed which utilizes low cost fiber-reinforced composite materials and innovative alignment methods to provide a comfortable and durable limb at an economical cost. A key to the design of the new limb is the use of high strength, long fatigue life fiber-reinforced sheet molding compounds (SMC) and high strength, low cost pultruded components.