Cambodian study assesses 3D scanning technologies for prosthetic limb design

Cutting-edge 3D scanners have been put to the test by researchers from the Skin Health research group, colleagues and partners Exceed Worldwide to help increase the quality and quantity of prosthetics services around the world. The study carried out within the People Powered Prosthetics research group compared plaster-casts and 3D scans for prosthetic limb users in Cambodia to establish the suitability of different digital technologies.

The results, published in the Journal of Prosthetics and Orthotics, will help people to choose the right scanner for different uses - including new prosthesis design, replicating worn-out prosthesis, or limb shape monitoring - and assess whether affordable scanners in lower-income countries are fit for purpose.

The study has emerged from Southampton’s renowned Institute for Life Sciences (IfLS)and included expertise from Health Sciences’ Dr Maggie Donovan-Hall, Dr Cheryl Metcalf and Dr Peter Worsley, and was undertaken with the Exceed Research Network (ERN), an international disability and Prosthetics and Orthotics (P&O) research consortium. ERN aims to benefit people with disabilities by supporting high quality, applied research, disseminating research results, and developing research capacity in lower and middle income countries (LMICs).