Layered Prosthetic Liner Adhesion via Molecular Bonding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional prosthetic liners for amputation stumps suffer from issues such as skin irritations, blistering, restricted movement, and lifting/suction effects due to vacuum systems, leading to discomfort and reduced wear time.
Innovation Solution
A layered system comprising an adhesive layer and a contact layer, where the adhesive layer adheres to the stump via molecular interaction, and a contact layer forms a mechanical connection with the quiver, using a shut-off device to create a vacuum or negative pressure for secure attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a vacuum system is used to secure the liner to the quiver, then adhesion reliability is improved, but device complexity and skin irritation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the vacuum system from the prosthetic attachment mechanism and replaces it with an adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is applied directly to the quiver surface, eliminating the need for vacuum pumps, valves, and sealing mechanisms while maintaining secure attachment reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical vacuum system is replaced with a chemical adhesive mechanism. The adhesive layer uses molecular bonding to create secure attachment between the liner and quiver, substituting the mechanical vacuum pressure system with a chemical bonding system that is simpler and causes less skin irritation.
2Reliability
If a vacuum system is used to secure the liner to the quiver, then adhesion reliability is improved, but skin irritation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The vacuum system that causes skin irritation through suction and pressure variations is extracted and replaced with an adhesive layer that provides secure attachment without mechanical stress on the skin, thereby eliminating the harmful effects while maintaining reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical vacuum system that causes skin irritation is replaced with a chemical adhesive mechanism. The adhesive bonds the liner to the quiver through molecular attraction rather than mechanical suction, eliminating skin irritation while maintaining secure attachment.
3Quantity of substance
If conventional liners are used, then basic coverage is provided, but movement freedom is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The prosthetic system is segmented into distinct functional layers: an adhesive layer for secure attachment, a liner layer for skin coverage and comfort, and a quiver for structural support. This segmentation allows each layer to be optimized independently, providing full coverage while enabling natural movement without restriction.
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
Provides stable, comfortable, and flexible attachment of prosthetic components without additional vacuum systems, reducing skin irritations and allowing for longer wear times with improved movement freedom.
Implementation Method 1
an adhesive layer (2) having two surfaces, with a first surface (2.1) covering the stump (1) and establishing an adhesive contact with the stump (1) by developing an adhesive force (12)
Implementation Method 2
a cavity (5) extending between the adhesive layer (2) and the contact layer (3), with a shut-off device (7) for creating a vacuum or negative pressure in the cavity (5)
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a layered system for attaching and/or removing a socket to or from a stump. The layered system has a proximal and a distal end and comprises an adhesion layer (2) and a contact layer (3) as components, wherein the stump-facing surface of the adhesion layer establishes contact with the stump by generating an adhesive force, and the contact layer is arranged above the stump-facing surface of the adhesion layer. A positive-locking contact with the socket is ensured via the stump-facing surface of the contact layer. A shut-off element (7) is provided for evacuating and/or venting the cavity formed between the adhesion layer and the contact layer. The contact surface between the adhesion layer and the contact layer is airtight at the proximal end.