Liner With Integrated Conducting Sections for Prosthetic Signal Transmission
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing liners with integrated electrodes for amputation stumps are expensive to produce, provide limited wearing comfort, and require complex sealing to maintain airtightness, which complicates the transmission of electrical signals for prosthesis control and skin resistance measurement.
Innovation Solution
A liner with conducting sections integrated into the material, forming a uniform and continuous inner wall, allowing for seamless electrode placement and secure contact, using polymer materials like silicone with conductive additives, and recesses for electrode stabilization and protection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If discrete conducting electrodes are bonded into a window of the prosthesis socket, then electrical signal transmission is enabled, but production cost increases and wearing comfort is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrode function directly into the liner material by integrating conducting sections during the molding process. This eliminates the need for separate discrete electrodes and their associated bonding operations, thereby reducing production cost while maintaining electrical signal transmission capability. The conducting sections are formed as an integral part of the liner, combining the liner and electrode functions into a single component.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by incorporating conducting additives (such as carbon or silver particles) into the non-conducting liner material (such as silicone). This creates a composite material that maintains the flexibility and comfort of the original liner while adding electrical conductivity where needed. The composite approach allows the liner to retain its wearing comfort properties while enabling electrical signal transmission through the integrated conducting sections.
2Reliability
If discrete electrodes are surrounded by non-conducting material and bonded onto the liner, then electrode stability is achieved, but device complexity and sealing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the electrode stabilization function directly into the liner structure by forming recesses during the molding process. These recesses provide mechanical stability and positioning for the conducting sections without requiring separate stabilization components. The conducting sections are embedded in the liner material itself, eliminating the need for additional bonding layers and reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent maintains the flexible, seamless nature of the liner by integrating the conducting sections directly into the flexible liner material. The liner's flexibility allows it to conform to the amputation stump while maintaining electrical contact through the integrated conducting sections. This approach eliminates rigid electrode structures and complex sealing mechanisms, relying instead on the flexible liner's ability to maintain contact through deformation and adaptation.
3Reliability
If the liner is made airtight with underpressure, then liner fit is improved, but electrode accessibility and signal transmission are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the electrical signal transmission function directly into the sealed liner structure by integrating conducting sections throughout the liner material. This eliminates the need for separate electrode access points or windows that would compromise the airtight seal. The conducting sections are distributed within the liner material itself, allowing electrical contact to be maintained through the sealed structure without requiring openings or access points.
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 enhances wearing comfort and reliability by allowing precise electrode positioning and secure contact, reducing production costs and complexity while maintaining a smooth inner surface, enabling effective signal transmission and measurement.
Implementation Method 1
at least one electrode which is arranged to transmit electrical signals between the skin of the amputation stump and the outside of the liner
Implementation Method 2
The material of the liner is preferably a polymer, for example silicone. The conducting section has preferably been inserted into the material before polymerization to completion, such that, upon complete polymerization of the material of the liner, the conducting section is connected to the latter to form a uniform part
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a liner that is intended to be pulled over an amputation stump, is made of an electrically non-conducting material, has a form that is adapted or that adapts to the amputation stump, has an inner wall that lies against the skin of the amputation stump, and is provided with at least one electrode, which is arranged between the skin of the amputation stump and the outside of the liner in order to transmit electrical signals, a high level of wearing comfort is ensured along with reliable transmission of the electrical signals in that at least one conducting section is integrated into the material of the liner in the area of the electrodes, the at least one conducting section forming a uniform and consistently oriented inner wall together with the non-conducting material of the liner.