A new design system of below-limb prostheses - the role of a visual prosthetic designer

Sansoni, Stefania and Wodehouse, Andrew and Buis, Arjan (2015) A new design system of below-limb prostheses - the role of a visual prosthetic designer. In: 20th International Conference on Engineering Design (ICED'15), 2015-07-27 - 2015-07-30, Bovisa Campus - Politecnico di Milano.

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Abstract

This paper analyses the model of prosthetic design in the context of the public prosthetic centres in the UK, and proposes a new system of design including the role of the visual prosthetic designer. The visual aspect of prosthesis can favour a positive body image in the users; however they are often not advised or provided with models responding to their needs. We claim that the visual designer would improve the process for the appearance of the prosthesis, provide the amputees with visual solutions and support the prosthetists in the design process. The aim of this research is to highlight that more attention is needed for the visual needs of prosthetic users and that a change is needed in the current design approach of public prosthetic centres.