PhD Study : Non-Invasive Telemetric Sensing for Surface Skin Management in Lower Limb Amputation

Summary

For lower limb amputees, use of a lower limb prosthesis can achieve acceptable mobility, maintain employment and improve quality of life. However, regular use of a weight-bearing prosthesis is associated with a high incidence of skin inflammation in the residual limb, leading to potential ulceration, infection and cessation of use. Amputees with diabetes have a particular increased risk, complicated by the loss of pain sensation and impaired immune response. Within the socket of the prosthesis, increased temperature, rising levels of moisture, interface pressure and shear stress are associated with an increased incidence of skin breakdown. Measurement of any of these factors could potentially be used as an early-warning sign of impending tissue damage.

A local increase in tissue temperature of 2°C has been identified as predictive of impending skin breakdown in the foot. Within the socket of the lower limb prosthesis, identification of such a temperature rise, if communicated in an appropriate fashion, can alert the amputee, and trigger intervention in a timely manner to prevent progression to skin damage.

This study proposes to build a sensor capsule into the standard Pelite liner used within the prosthetic socket. The sensor will continuously measure temperature, humidity and movement within the socket. This information is communicated to a mobile phone app held by the amputee (or carer). Further communication will be to an anonomised cloud-based platform for data analysis, and further reflected back to a ‘dashboard’ report for the relevant clinical team based within the regional limb-fitting service. The sensor, bluetooth communication system, mobile phone app and cloud analytics have been developed by a team led by Bioflex Ltd, with support from Innovate UK and InvestNI funding.

The initial purpose of the proposed study is to determine the functionality of the sensor capsule in normal prosthetic use, and to test the reliability of the communication systems to app and cloud. In addition, the study will engage amputees in a qualitative evaluation of the system’s current useability / acceptability on a day-to-day basis and how correlation of clinical events with system use.

Aim: To assess the use of a lower limb monitoring system for prosthetic use following amputation.

Essential criteria

Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree in a subject relevant to the proposed area of study.

We may also consider applications from those who hold equivalent qualifications, for example, a Lower Second Class Honours Degree plus a Master’s Degree with Distinction.

In exceptional circumstances, the University may consider a portfolio of evidence from applicants who have appropriate professional experience which is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours degree in lieu of academic qualifications.

Desirable Criteria

If the University receives a large number of applicants for the project, the following desirable criteria may be applied to shortlist applicants for interview.

• Relevant professional qualification and/or a Degree in a Health or Health related area

Funding and eligibility

The University offers the following levels of support:

Vice Chancellors Research Studentship (VCRS)

The following scholarship options are available to applicants worldwide:

• Full Award: (full-time tuition fees + £19,000 (tbc))
• Part Award: (full-time tuition fees + £9,500)
• Fees Only Award: (full-time tuition fees)

These scholarships will cover full-time PhD tuition fees for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance) and will provide a £900 per annum research training support grant (RTSG) to help support the PhD researcher.

Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Please note: you will automatically be entered into the competition for the Full Award, unless you state otherwise in your application.

Department for the Economy (DFE)

The scholarship will cover tuition fees at the Home rate and a maintenance allowance of £19,000 (tbc) per annum for three years (subject to satisfactory academic performance).

This scholarship also comes with £900 per annum for three years as a research training support grant (RTSG) allocation to help support the PhD researcher.

• Candidates with pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, who also satisfy a three year residency requirement in the UK prior to the start of the course for which a Studentship is held MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance.
• Republic of Ireland (ROI) nationals who satisfy three years’ residency in the UK prior to the start of the course MAY receive a Studentship covering fees and maintenance (ROI nationals don’t need to have pre-settled or settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme to qualify).
• Other non-ROI EU applicants are ‘International’ are not eligible for this source of funding.
• Applicants who already hold a doctoral degree or who have been registered on a programme of research leading to the award of a doctoral degree on a full-time basis for more than one year (or part-time equivalent) are NOT eligible to apply for an award.

Due consideration should be given to financing your studies. Further information on cost of living