Flexible Heating Element in Prosthesis Socket
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Solution Overview
Problem
Amputees experience discomfort and pain due to inadequate temperature regulation of the amputation stump, particularly when wearing orthopedic devices, as existing heating solutions are either temporary or interfere with the prosthesis's operation.
Innovation Solution
A flexible heating element integrated into the orthopedic device's socket, comprising electrically conductive tracks on an insulating support, which maintains the stump's temperature within a comfortable range, minimizing nerve stimulation and avoiding additional contact issues.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If heating patches are applied directly to the skin to locally heat an area of the body, then pain relief is achieved, but the solution is only temporarily applicable and cannot be used when the amputation stump is inserted into orthopedic equipment
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is integrated directly into the socket structure of the orthopedic device, merging the heating function with the structural component. This allows continuous pain relief while maintaining full compatibility with prosthesis use, eliminating the need to choose between temporary patches and device wearability.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is pre-installed within the socket during device fabrication, preparing the thermal regulation capability in advance. This preliminary integration ensures that the heating function is immediately available and continuously operational whenever the device is worn, without requiring separate application steps.
2Temperature
If additional heating elements are brought into contact with the stump to provide warmth, then temperature regulation improves, but additional tolerance problems arise due to friction and support issues
Solution Approach 1:
The heating element is combined with the existing socket structure, using the socket's own surface area for heat transfer. This eliminates the need for separate heating patches that would create additional friction and pressure points, as the heat is delivered through the socket's normal contact surfaces already adapted to the stump's geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The heating element is distributed uniformly throughout the socket's inner surface, creating homogeneous heat distribution across the contact area. This uniform integration ensures consistent temperature regulation without creating localized hot spots or pressure concentrations that would cause discomfort or skin irritation.
3Strength
If the socket elements are made from composite materials and metal for rigid parts, then structural strength is improved, but thermal conduction to the stump surface increases, communicating outside temperature to the sensitive area
Solution Approach 1:
A thermal insulation layer is introduced as an intermediary between the metal/composite socket structure and the heating element or stump contact surface. This mediator layer maintains the structural strength provided by metal and composite materials while blocking their thermal conduction pathway, preventing outside temperature from being transmitted to the sensitive stump area.
Solution Approach 2:
The socket structure employs differentiated thermal properties in different regions: the outer structural components can be metal or composite for strength, while the inner surface in contact with the stump uses materials with appropriate thermal insulation characteristics. This local differentiation allows the structure to simultaneously achieve mechanical strength and thermal protection.
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 maintains the stump's temperature within physiological neutrality, reducing pain and discomfort during prosthesis use by integrating a flexible heating element that is mechanically robust and thermally efficient, without disturbing the device's operation.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element (1) inserted in orthopedic equipment or forming part of the orthopedic device, said heating element (1) comprising a flexible film, which film comprises a support (30) made of a flexible material that is substantially electrically insulating and, on at least one surface of said support (30), tracks made of a material that is substantially electrically conductive capable of being heat up under the effect of the passage of an electric current
Implementation Method 2
a heating element (1) comprising a flexible film, which film comprises a support (30) made of a flexible material that is substantially electrically insulating... capable of being heat up under the effect of the passage of an electric current
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The invention relates to a device for heating and/or controlling the temperature of the socket of an orthopaedic appliance, which receives the distal end of an amputation stump, said device comprising a heating element arranged in the prosthetic appliance such that the parts of the socket in contact with the distal end of the amputation stump are heated and/or maintained at a predetermined temperature. The invention also relates to a method for improving the wearing comfort of an orthopaedic appliance, and to an orthopaedic appliance.