Notes from meeting with Limb Lab Staff

Notes from meeting with Limb Lab Staff

Date: 7.11.18

Date:7.11.18

Time: 12:50-1:45 PM

Location: Limb Lab, 1919 State Road, La Crosse, WI 54601

Project Team Members: Alex and Austin & Mr. Johnston

Staff Interviewed:

Joe Van Der Bosch- Certified Prosthetist and Orthontist

Jared Smith-Prosthetic & Orthotic Fitter

1.     The process all starts with a referral from a Doctor to meet with the Limb Lab staff on a prosthesis.

2.     An evaluation of the patient happens at the Limb Lab and the prosthesis is designed based on what they do.

3.     They do make interchangeable parts but sometimes insurance will only cover one prosthesis.

4.     $2000-$5000 for feet.

5.     Legs are the toughest to design and fabricate because they are weight bearing and you have to be concerned about center of mass and the increased training time to get used to the limb.

6.     A lot of the design depends on how badly damaged the arm or leg is.

7.     The leg can be scanned in with software and then a cast can be created and then a mold.

8.     Smart Puck is the industries first intelligent socket system with Constant Vacuum socket technology. The SmartPuck system is prosthetic socket technology that can actually improve the circulation and health of the residual limb. https://www.5280prosthetics.com/products/smartpuck/

9.     The problem is the sleeve will move as the limb changes size during the day. So the sleeve is pressurized to get tighter as the limb gets smaller. This can be controlled with a cell phone app.

10.  The limb must be taken off to charge the Puck during the night. What about a kinetic charging system to keep the puck charged?

11.  People with diabetes are very susceptible to loss of sensitivity in the limb. They can have no feeling on top of the residual limb or perhaps the side. Tactile response to pressure with it going to cell phone could be a option also.

Austin and Alex at the Limb Lab in La Crosse

Seeing a 5280 Smart Puck (vacuum pump) for the first time.