Twenty minutes of excess pressure inside a prosthetic socket can create sores that take six weeks to heal. TG0-UPL is a wireless, ultra-soft liner embedded with carbon-infused polymer sensors that measures pressure distribution in real time, giving clinicians continuous feedback on fit and muscle changes without requiring a clinic visit. Current prosthetic sockets are rigid and custom-moulded, but the wearer’s body changes shape with muscle gain, fat loss, or daily swelling. That mismatch causes painful rubbing, pressure sores, and eventually socket abandonment. The problem is invisible to clinicians until the patient reports pain. TG0-UPL aims to close that feedback gap by turning the liner into a continuous monitor, flagging trouble spots before tissue damage occurs. If successful, the liner could shift prosthetic care from reactive to proactive. Patients would gain mobility and comfort, while the NHS could reduce complications and follow-up appointments. The technology, originally developed for VR and automotive use, is being adapted here through collaboration with prosthetists, physiotherapists, and amputees. The key engineering challenges are durability under high pressure and machine-learning algorithms that translate raw pressure data into actionable clinical advice.
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Research with UK leading prosthetist Chris Parsons, shows that just 20-minutes of excess pressure can lead to sores which can take up to 6-weeks to heal. Validated by Billy Monger in his recent Pain from prosthetics - Telegraph 24 October 2024 article. _"Most people can just put on a pair of trainers and go out and run, I don't have that luxury, I put on custom prosthetics made specifically for me... the sockets are moulded around our legs. So when I gain muscle in an area the socket can become tight which is incredibly painful. Equally, when I lose fat in a certain area, the socket becomes loose and starts to rub and creates sores. This has a serious impact on my body and it can take weeks to recover from just a short run."_ _----_ This 18-month research program focuses on developing TG0-UPL, an Ultra-Soft Pressure Mapping Liner for lower-limb prosthetics. Integrating TG0's carbon-infused polymer sensor technology, this soft, flexible, wireless liner monitors pressure distribution in real time. Originally developed for VR and automotive uses, the technology will now be adapted for prosthetics to provide longitudinal, real-time feedback to clinicians to help tackle discomfort and abandonment among amputees. TG0 collaborates with experts, including patients, prosthetist Chris Parsons, and physiotherapist Mirander Asher, leveraging over 50years of combined experience. This input is crucial for tailoring the product to real needs and improving patient outcomes. TG0-UPL will need to integrate seamlessly, ensuring a comfortable fit and capability to fit various limb sizes. Key challenges include achieving durability to withstand high pressures and developing machine-learning algorithms to interpret pressure data, giving real-time feedback on fit and muscle changes. TGO-UPL promises to enhance prosthetics with continuous, out-of-clinic monitoring, aligning with NHS Digital Ward initiatives----support proactive care, improve mobility, and reduce complications for prosthetic users.
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