Adjustable Prosthetic Socket Seals for Anatomical Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing suspension liners for prosthetic sockets fail to adequately accommodate volume fluctuations and user anatomy, leading to pressure marks and discomfort, particularly for trans-tibial amputees with bony protuberances.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable seal system with seal components that can be placed at various locations along the liner body, featuring seal bands and a textile sleeve for secure engagement, allowing for customizable fit and pressure distribution.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed seal system is used in suspension liners, then manufacturing is simplified, but adaptability to different user anatomy and volume fluctuations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The seal system is divided into multiple seal bands positioned at different locations along the liner body, allowing selective engagement with the user's anatomy. This segmentation enables the seal to adapt to various anatomical features while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal component is designed to be movable along the liner body, transitioning between engaged and disengaged states. This dynamic capability allows the seal to accommodate volume fluctuations and anatomical variations without requiring a completely complex reconfigurable structure.
2Adaptability or versatility
If seal bands are positioned at fixed locations, then manufacturing precision is improved, but adaptability to anatomical variations is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple seal bands are distributed at predetermined locations along the liner, combining fixed manufacturing positions with selective engagement capability. This allows standardization in manufacturing while providing adaptability through the ability to engage different bands based on user anatomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal component can engage with multiple seal bands at different locations, making it universally applicable to various anatomical configurations. This multi-functionality is achieved without requiring high manufacturing precision for each individual engagement point.
3Reliability
If the seal component is made secure and adjustable, then reliability of sealing is improved, but ease of operation for donning and doffing is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The seal component transitions between a secured engaged state for reliable sealing and a disengaged state for easy removal. The dynamic nature of the engagement mechanism allows it to maintain reliability during wear while facilitating simple donning and doffing operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The seal bands act as intermediaries between the seal component and the liner body, enabling secure engagement during use while allowing for straightforward disengagement. This intermediary mechanism balances sealing reliability with operational ease.
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 system provides improved comfort and secure sealing by accommodating anatomical variations, reducing pressure points, and facilitating easy donning and doffing.
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
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 is selectively placed over the outer surface of a suspension liner including a plurality of seal bands, which the seal component may removably and securely engage.