Soft tissue characterisation utilising state-of the art Ultrasound technology supervisiors

Using ultrasound sensing methods to characterise soft tissues for use in lower limb prosthetic fitting and assessment. This project will focus on using state of the art ultrasound imaging methods to further understand the mechanics and characteristics of the soft tissue found on the residual limb of prosthetic users.

The goal of this project is to gain a better understanding of how ultrasound can be used to characterise soft tissue, specifically to identify damage such as deep tissue injury that would be otherwise difficult to detect. This will be done by developing ultrasound imagine methods, feature recognition and feature tracking methods. These methods will be developed through practice with

Preliminary work will undertaken using well-controlled phantom materials in the lab, prior to demonstration and data acquisition in prosthetic users. The utility of using elastography and shear velocity imaging to quantitatively determine deep tissue loading conditions will be assessed. Finally, working in partnership with NovoSound, the student will assess the feasibility of using flexible, embedded ultrasound sensing as a new tool to aid understanding and performance refinement in prosthesis fitting.

With this better understanding, the project aims to improve the tools available for optimising prosthesis fit