Breathable Residual-Limb Socket with Air-Permeable Liner and Venting Adapter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Active individuals using lower limb prostheses experience discomfort due to heat and perspiration, leading to fluid accumulation and loss of suspension between the liner and adapter, causing blisters and skin breakdown, with existing solutions either adding weight or restricting airflow.
Innovation Solution
A liner with an air-permeable pouch and apertures, combined with an adapter featuring drainage holes and vents, maintains suspension while allowing for evaporative cooling and moisture removal without active pumping mechanisms.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If a liner with small pores is used to remove moisture, then moisture can migrate from the skin into the space between the liner and socket, but air cannot penetrate inward to the skin for evaporative cooling
Solution Approach 1:
The liner incorporates an air-permeable material with larger apertures that allow both moisture vapor and air to pass through. This enables evaporative cooling by allowing air to reach the skin while simultaneously permitting moisture to migrate outward, resolving the contradiction between moisture removal and heat dissipation.
2Loss of substance
If miniature pumps and solenoid airflow control systems are used to remove perspiration, then moisture can be expelled effectively, but the system adds weight, requires batteries and electronics, and increases inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses the user's own body heat and movement to drive moisture removal. The air-permeable liner allows natural evaporation and the adapter's drainage holes enable moisture to be passively expelled through the prosthesis structure without requiring external power sources or complex mechanical systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces active mechanical pumping systems with a passive physical system based on vapor pressure gradients and material permeability. Moisture removal is achieved through the inherent properties of air-permeable materials and gravitational drainage rather than mechanical force.
3Temperature
If a helical cooling channel with liquid coolant is incorporated into the socket, then cooling can be achieved, but it requires carrying a chamber of liquid coolant and a pumping mechanism to circulate the fluid
Solution Approach 1:
The patent eliminates complex liquid cooling systems by using air-permeable materials that enable direct evaporative cooling. The air flow through the liner and adapter structure provides sufficient cooling without requiring liquid coolant chambers or circulation pumps.
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 solution effectively removes excess moisture, preventing blisters and skin breakdown while maintaining suspension between the prosthetic and liner, enhancing user comfort and convenience.
Implementation Method 1
The pouch comprises an air permeable material
Implementation Method 2
The adapter comprises a socket for receiving the cup, at least one hole, and a sleeve. The at least one hole is positioned within the socket for drainage therefrom
Implementation Method 3
at least one vent positioned in the sleeve
Data Source
AI summary
A liner defines a pouch, an opening, a cup, and a first ring positioned on the pouch distal to the opening. The pouch is air-permeable and defines an internal volume for receiving a residual limb. The opening defined by the pouch provides access to the internal volume. The cup is air-impermeable and is positioned on the pouch distal to the opening. The liner is combined with an adapter for connecting a residual limb to a prosthetic limb. The adapter has a socket for receiving the cup, at least one hole positioned within the socket for drainage therefrom and sleeve extending from the socket and surrounding a central space. The adapter also has at least one vent positioned in the sleeve and overlies the air permeable material.