Modelling thermoregulation for prosthetic design

Thesis

Conventional manufacture of prosthetic sockets is artisanal, relying on limited objective data, which often leads to discomfort and tissue damage. Thermal discomfort is a key concern identified by amputees, particularly in hot climates. Despite this, it has had little research attention. This research increases knowledge of the body’s heat transfer mechanisms and the effect of amputation and wearing a prosthesis on heat transfer and thermal discomfort through reviewing literature, running a c...

Expand abstract

Authors: Diment, L

• Type of award: DPhil
• Level of award: Doctoral
• Awarding institution: University of Oxford
• Language: English
• Keywords: lower-limb prosthesis; finite element analysis; theromoregulation; prosthetic socket; muscle temperature; bioheat model; sweat; discomfort; multiphysics modelling; exercise; hot climate
• Subjects: McGill Pain Questionnaire; Body temperature--Regulation; Finite element method; Prosthesis