An Overview of the Developmental Process for the Modular Prosthetic Limb

The development of the Modular Prosthetic Limb (MPL) has and continues to be the result of cutting-edge technology innovation in mechanical, electrical, and software design. Sound systems engineering practices have laid the foundation for the successes achieved during the Revolutionizing Prosthetics program. From the initial effort to prove, with Prototype I, that an advanced prosthetic device is possible to the technology candidate elimination process undertaken for Prototype 2, the design methodology included extensive analysis of user requirements, system trade studies, and testing to engineer the MPL to meet challenging sponsor needs. To show how this remarkable technology came to be, we describe in detail the MPL development process.