Development and Evaluation of a Smart Vacuum-Assisted Suspension System for Transtibial Prostheses

A prosthetic socket is essential for achieving comfort, gait symmetry, and overall satisfaction for amputees. Effective suspension systems are crucial for securely attaching prostheses, thereby optimizing comfort, functional performance, and long-term limb health. This study aimed to develop and evaluate an intelligent vacuum-assisted suspension system for transtibial prostheses to improve socket fit, gait stability, and reduce residual limb movement. The system integrates force-sensitive resistors (FSRs) and an inertial measurement unit (MPU6050) with accelerometer and gyroscope sensors, continuously monitoring interface pressure and limb motion. Real-time data from these sensors dynamically adjusts vacuum pressure based on the user's gait pattern .Quantitative gait analysis conducted with the G-Walk system under non-vacuum and vacuum conditions identified biomechanical deficiencies without vacuum, including reduced gait quality, decreased stride length, and asymmetrical pelvic motion. When the vacuum system was activated, walking speed increased from 0.88 m/s to 1.04 m/s (~18%), propulsion force improved from 5.5 N to 8.0 N, and the symmetry index rose from 74.7% to 83.3%, reflecting more efficient push-off, enhanced bilateral balance, and improved dynamic stability. These findings extend previous work, such as Gholizadeh et al. (2020) and Coburn et al. (2022), by not only confirming improvements in socket stability but also providing clear quantitative evidence of enhanced gait mechanics. Compared to Kent et al. (2024), who emphasized functional benefits of vacuum-assisted suspension, the present system demonstrates measurable biomechanical gains through dynamic, real-time vacuum regulation. Long-term functional measurements showed consistent improvements in stride uniformity and cadence, demonstrating the system’s efficacy in enhancing limb-socket interaction, dynamic alignment, and overall gait efficiency. Because this study is based on a single case, the results are still preliminary and require confirmation through studies involving multiple participants.