Student invention makes life easier for amputees

At left: a Prosthetics and Orthotics student works with a current-generation prosthetic limb. A new invention by BCIT student Duane Nelson will soon make the discomfort and restriction of movement associated with older prosthetics a thing of the past.

Imagine you’re an amputee. Every day, your leg, amputated below the knee, must be strapped to your prosthetic limb. But the adjustable harness used to secure the limb allows for too much movement, leading to friction and ultimately, irritating your skin. An added gel liner helps with skin issues but adds weight and can pull on the residual limb, leading to further discomfort. The third and newest option, a knee sleeve, reduces friction and is lightweight, but restricts your movement. It’s a painful and frustrating problem.

It was a dilemma that nagged at Duane Nelson while he was a student in BCIT’s Prosthetics and Orthotics program. In response, he came up with the idea to incorporate magnets into a prosthetic liner that fits the residual limb. The liners are made of a flexible silicone material that helps to maintain contact between the limb and the prosthesis. Duane designed and built a special limb socket that enabled the magnetic connection to be made in a safe, simple, and secure way.  When the prosthesis is placed over the liner, the magnets snap together, providing a secure connection between the limb and the prosthesis.  It’s a simple yet highly effective solution to a centuries-old problem.

After verifying the performance of his design using stress testing equipment from the School of Manufacturing, Electronics and Industrial Processes, Duane took his prototype to the BCIT Technology Centre. Mentored by Research Associate Nigel Halsted, Duane was able to refine his idea and bring it to the product stage.

“Duane was a committed student and was really excited about the opportunity to bring his idea to life,” says Nigel. “I would love to help other students this way… it was a fantastic experience!”

But Duane’s BCIT mentors weren’t the only ones who recognized the invention’s potential. Once connected with the Technology Centre, Duane was introduced to OrthoCare Innovations, a leading American prosthetics and orthotics company. The company instantly recognized that Duane’s idea had potential, and invited him to join their team. Duane signed a contract with OrthoCare to develop his idea further and is currently testing another prototype model.

“The professional opportunities I’ve had in the last 18 months, resulting from the positive product development mentoring I received at BCIT, have been way beyond my expectations,” says Duane.

Currently, Duane works four days per week as a clinical prosthetist in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and one day per week developing proof-of-concept prototypes of his own prosthetic suspension innovations for OthoCare Innovations. “My experience at BCIT has been invaluable in helping me to get where I am today,” says Duane.

For more information on Duane’s invention, check out his presentation of the design process:

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