ReVivo Systems GmbH

Allgemeine Informationen

People with above or below knee amputations seek to return to a mobile lifestyle. Conventional rehabilitation uses a socket prosthesis, which is fixed to the soft tissue of the remaining residual limb using suction or vacuum. The artificial knee joint and/or lower leg prosthesis is then attached to the socket. This enables the patient to walk without aids, but there are several challenges in the use of a suction prosthesis.

One important factor is the length of the remaining limb, as it determines the lever arm and the force, which has to be applied for conducting, guiding, and controlling the prosthesis. If the socket does not t properly, it can create skin irritations of the soft tissue which may lead to sores, ulcers, and chronic in ammation with abscesses and pain. Moreover, the remaining stump length correlates with the energy expenditure during walking. On average, an amputee uses 70% more energy than an able-bodied person. These di culties can result in a poor gait with negative effects on the remaining musculosketal system. This often leads amputees to utilize walking aids or even a wheelchair.
For many amputees, it is difficult to find a way back into an active lifestyle or to the working force. Often, they cannot perform activities or sports, and have to rely on the help of others during everyday life.