Prosthetic Smart Sock

Every year, 7,700+ Canadians lose lower limbs, mostly to diabetes, but 48% struggle with prosthetic socket discomfort that causes pressure sores and infections. Current fitting relies on visual inspection and patient feedback, taking 3-4 weeks across multiple clinic visits with frequent trial-and-error adjustments.
Project90, a student biomedical engineering team partnered with Cascade Prosthetics in Calgary, is building an ultra-thin "smart sock" with force-sensitive resistors (FSRs) that capture real-time pressure distribution as patients load a custom test stand. Data transmits via Bluetooth to generate 3D pressure maps clinicians can use to identify and eliminate hotspots before finalizing socket design.
Our prototype integrates mechanical, electrical, and software subteams to deliver: (1) repeatable pressure measurements, (2) durable sensor connections under repeated loading, and (3) clinician-friendly visualization. Success means fewer clinic visits, better patient comfort, and a scalable tool for the $145M global socket market. (see the generated image above)