MEMS-based bubble pressure sensor for prosthetic socket interface pressure measurement

Abstract

The ability to chronically monitor pressure at the prosthetic socket/residual limb interface could provide important data to the research and clinical communities. With this application in mind, we describe a novel type of sensor which consists of a MEMS pressure sensor and custom electronics packaged in a fluid-filled bubble. The sensor is characterized and compared to two commercially-available technologies. The bubble sensor has excellent drift performance and good sensing resolution. It exhibits hysteresis which may be due to the silicone that the sensor is molded in. To reduce hysteresis, it may be advisable to place the sensor between the liner and the socket rather molding directly into the liner.