Amputee Doctor’s Game-Changing Smart Prosthetic Socket Triumphs at Mayo Clinic’s Alligator Tank
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Many people abandon their prosthetic limbs due to issues like pressure injuries, skin breakdown, and hypersensitivity, which often stem from poorly fitted prosthetic sockets. To tackle this problem, Hamaad Khan, D.O., a first-year internal medicine resident at the Mayo Clinic School of Graduate Medical Education (MCSGME), proposed to embed sensor technologies into the socket. His idea won first place in the Mayo Clinic’s Alligator Tank in December 2024.
By embedding sensors in the prosthetic socket, it becomes possible to detect areas that may cause discomfort or injury during fittings. Dr. Khan aims to identify these problematic points early in the socket creation process, thereby ensuring a more comfortable fit while also enhancing efficiency in terms of time and cost.
Despite facing off against more experienced innovators, Dr. Khan emerged victorious, securing $50,000 in funding and an additional $500 for being chosen as the crowd favorite.
The Alligator Tank is a pitch competition similar to “Shark Tank,” presented by Mayo Clinic Research Innovation. It welcomes individual innovators and teams with at least one member from the Mayo Clinic Florida campus on an annual basis.
From problem to solution
Dr. Khan was born with a partial left arm due to Amniotic Band Syndrome, a condition that caused parts of the amniotic sac to constrict his forearm’s development while he was in the womb. He began using prosthetics when he was just three months old and had to replace his prosthetic arm almost every time he grew out of one. By the age of 17, he had already experienced the fitting process for nearly 20 prostheses, each of which took several weeks to adjust before he could start using it.
As he got older, Dr. Khan transitioned to a cable-powered prosthesis, which provided enhanced functionality and boosted his confidence, enabling him to complete training as an emergency medical technician. He dedicated several years as chief of his university’s volunteer EMT service during his undergraduate studies, which reinforced his commitment to a medical career. He intends to specialize in physical medicine and rehabilitation starting in July 2025.
Having firsthand experience with the challenges posed by ill-fitting sockets, Dr. Khan is acutely aware of the crucial role this aspect plays in the effectiveness and everyday use of prosthetics. In an interview with the Mayo Clinic’s News Network, he has expressed a deep fascination with the methods clinicians use to craft customized sockets for their patients. But he noted that there have been few meaningful advancements in this area in recent times. He felt that it was time to introduce changes to improve the process, such as his sensor tech pitch.
From vision to reality
Dr. Khan understood firsthand the challenges that both patients and healthcare providers face during the socket-fitting process. Recognizing an opportunity to enhance efficiency while reducing costs for clinicians, he set out to create a business model that could address these issues.
During his time at the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Khan developed his concept for the Alligator Tank. He consulted with friends who live with limb loss, prosthetists, and several Mayo physicians dedicated to caring for amputees. These discussions highlighted the significant impact of improper socket fittings, inspiring him to innovate in this area.
Currently, Dr. Khan is partnering with Mayo Clinic Research Innovation, Mayo Clinic Ventures, and other internal departments as he works on bringing his vision to fruition.
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