Revolutionary New Material Promises to Solve Common Issues for Prosthetic Users

People using prosthetic limbs often face issues like blisters and sores due to the rigid nature of prosthetics that do not adapt to changes in the body, leading to discomfort. According to Professor Farat Goder from the Department of Bioengineering at Imperial College London, regardless of how sophisticated prosthetics are, they remain unusable if they cannot comfortably integrate with the human body.

However, recent research has revolutionized the field of prosthetics, addressing a two-hundred-year-old problem. Researchers have introduced a patented new material called *Rolliner*, designed to address this issue by adjusting the shape, size, and rigidity of the liner used to attach prosthetic limbs.

Rolliner, developed by a robotics company, is made from flexible silicone that contains channels that can be compressed to alter its size and shape, making it adaptable—larger, smaller, harder, or softer based on the user’s needs. According to Eger Tanriyurdu, co-founder of the company behind Rolliner, this flexibility is key in ensuring comfort and usability.

In a recent study, six amputees who used the Rolliner material in their prosthetic legs reported significant improvement in their experience with the prosthetics. Additionally, researchers noted that Rolliner could even integrate with AI technology, allowing it to “learn” the personal preferences of the user.

The AI system can adjust the prosthetic’s properties based on how the human body changes throughout the day or according to hormone fluctuations. For instance, when sitting, the prosthetic can loosen for comfort, while it can tighten when the person is walking. Researchers also revealed that Rolliner can be connected to a smartphone, allowing users to easily adjust the fit of their prosthetic limb through a mobile app.

This innovative development promises to make prosthetic limbs more adaptable, comfortable, and user-friendly for people with amputations, marking a significant step forward in the field of bioengineering.