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Safe shower solution for below-the knee amputees

The objective of this project is to design, fabricate, and test a specialized assistive device that gives our client, a transtibial amputee, the autonomy to safely enter, stand, and bathe in the shower without using his primary prosthetic.

Project Overview

Below the knee amputees are unable to wear their standard prosthetic in the shower due to non-waterproof materials, corrosion risk, and slip hazards. This often forces individuals to either remove their prosthesis and shower while seated or attempt to stand on one leg using unsafe workarounds, both of which carry fall risk and limit autonomy. The device must provide adequate traction on wet surfaces, accommodate leg geometry and load bearing capacity of our user, withstand moisture and cleaning chemicals, and retain independence during daily bathing routines. The client requests that the device must reject complex buckling straps and kneeling pads due to pain at the spacer in his knee and utilizes the concept of a step in socket.

Team Picture

Team photo: (Left to right) Ben Willihnganz, Sam Dudek, Marcus Wentzel, Claire Matthai, Katelyn Williams, Kimberly Jarrard
Team photo: (Left to right) Ben Willihnganz, Sam Dudek, Marcus Wentzel, Claire Matthai, Katelyn Williams, Kimberly Jarrard

Files

Progress Reports

Contact Information

Team Members

Advisor and Client

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