Adjustable Prosthetic Seal System for Volume Fluctuations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suspension liners for prosthetic sockets often fail to adequately accommodate volume fluctuations and anatomical irregularities, leading to discomfort and pressure marks on residual limbs, particularly for trans-tibial amputees with bony protuberances and irregular shapes.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable seal system with seal components that can be placed along the height of the liner body, featuring seal bands and a textile sleeve for secure frictional engagement, allowing for customizable placement to avoid pressure points and conform to the residual limb's shape, thereby providing a more comfortable and secure seal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed seal component is integrated into the liner, then the sealing function is provided, but the ability to accommodate volume fluctuations and anatomical irregularities is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The seal component is divided into multiple segments or sections that can independently move and adjust. This segmentation allows each segment to adapt to local anatomical variations and volume changes while collectively providing a reliable seal across the entire interface between the liner and prosthetic socket.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the seal component is made adjustable and removable, then the adaptability to anatomical irregularities is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The seal component is extracted as a separate, removable element from the liner body. This allows the seal to be independently adjusted, positioned, or removed without affecting the entire liner system. The simplified integration mechanism reduces the overall complexity despite the added adjustability feature.
3Ease of operation
If the liner is thickened to provide cushioning effect, then the comfort is improved, but the rotational control and stability are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The liner is designed with varying thickness and material properties at different locations. Thinner, more rigid material is used in regions requiring rotational control and stability, while thicker, softer material is applied in areas needing cushioning and comfort. This localized variation in material properties optimizes both comfort and stability without compromising either function.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The adjustable seal system enhances comfort and skin protection by accommodating volume changes and anatomical irregularities, reducing the effort required for donning and doffing, and providing improved rotational control and durability through customizable seal placement and secure attachment to the liner.
Implementation Method 1
The internal surface is arranged to frictionally engage at least one of the plurality of seal bands and secure on the outer surface of the liner body
Data Source
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Figure 5a~5b
AI summary
An adjustable seal system, seal component for use in the system, and method are provided for forming a sealing interface between a residual limb and a prosthetic socket. The seal component (300) is selectively placed over the outer surface (317) of a suspension liner (301) including a plurality of seal bands (305), which the seal component (300) may removably and securely engage.