Pressure redistribution in additively manufactured composite prosthesis by architecture control

Current orthopaedic challenges require the use of advanced technologies to create exoprosthetic limbs. An orthopaedic socket is an important component of the exoprosthesis; in many ways, the functionality of the prosthesis is crucial for the speed of patient is recovery. Application of additive manufacturing technologies in combination with numerical modelling approaches can be successfully applied to create an orthopaedic socket with properties tailored to the needs of a particular patient. An important aspect of the work is the study of mechanics of structured composites in order to achieve the possibility of pressure redistribution by controlling the internal architecture of the prosthesis. This paper is focused on numerical study of the mechanical behaviour of the orthopaedic exoprosthesis socket, produced using additive manufacturing from different types of polymer matrix with embedded carbon fibres. The results obtained will benefit the design of exoprostheses combining the possibility of free architecture achieved with 3D printing capabilities and improved mechanical properties obtained with continuous-fibre reinforcement.