Development of an Experimental Set-Up for Providing Lower-Limb Amputees with an Augmenting Feedback

We present a proprioceptive feedback system for lower-limb amputees based on vibratory stimulation applied on the thigh. The system should be integrated in the prosthesis for overcoming the missing proprioceptive information from the amputated foot sole. It acquires data from one pressure-sensitive insole, inserted in the shoe of the amputated foot, and elaborates the acquired information for the real-time detection of specific gait-phase transitions. On the basis of the recognized transition, one of the vibrators positioned on the amputee’s thigh is activated.