Prosthesis Liner Sealing Cap for Sweat Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current prosthesis suspension systems face challenges with sweat accumulation leading to reduced adhesion between the residual limb and the liner, causing relative movement, discomfort, and increased energy expenditure, especially in locking liners where perforations compromise the airtight seal necessary for reduced pressure suspension.
Innovation Solution
A perforated locking liner with a sealing cap that allows sweat and air to escape through perforations while maintaining an airtight seal using a sealing cap with a frusto-conical design and varying thicknesses to facilitate movement and sealing, ensuring effective sweat management and reduced pressure maintenance during gait cycles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a locking liner with perforations is used to allow sweat escape, then sweat management is improved, but the airtight seal required for reduced pressure suspension is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The liner is divided into two distinct zones: a proximal airtight zone for maintaining reduced pressure suspension, and a distal perforated zone for sweat management. This segmentation allows each zone to perform its specific function without compromising the other, resolving the contradiction between seal integrity and sweat escape.
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the liner are given different properties: the proximal region is made airtight to maintain vacuum suspension, while the distal region is made permeable with perforations to allow sweat evaporation. This local differentiation enables simultaneous achievement of both suspension reliability and sweat management.
2Reliability
If a non-locking liner is used to maintain airtight seal, then reduced pressure suspension is maintained, but sweat accumulation causes relative movement and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The liner combines locking and non-locking features by segmenting the structure: the distal end includes locking mechanism components while the proximal end maintains airtight sealing. This allows the liner to provide both sweat management through perforations and reliable suspension through the sealed proximal region.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention merges features of both locking and non-locking liners into a single integrated design, combining the sweat management capabilities of perforated locking liners with the suspension reliability of sealed non-locking liners, thereby achieving both functions simultaneously.
3Strength
If the liner material is made thicker to improve durability, then structural strength is improved, but flexibility and movement facilitation are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The liner employs varying thickness throughout its structure: thicker material in regions requiring strength and durability, and thinner material in regions requiring flexibility and movement. This local variation in thickness allows the liner to simultaneously achieve structural integrity and operational flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The liner is designed with dynamic thickness characteristics that allow it to adapt its mechanical properties: thicker sections provide structural support while thinner sections enable natural movement and deformation during gait, creating a dynamically responsive structure.
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 manages sweat and maintains a reduced pressure within the liner, preventing relative movement and discomfort, while allowing for secure suspension of the prosthesis, enhancing user control and reducing fatigue.
Implementation Method 1
maintains an airtight seal using a sealing cap with a frusto-conical design and varying thicknesses to facilitate movement and sealing, ensuring effective sweat management and reduced pressure maintenance during gait cycles
Implementation Method 2
A prosthesis suspension system... a porous liner having attachment means for attaching the porous liner to the socket
Implementation Method 3
allows sweat and air to escape through perforations
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4A~4B
AI summary
A prosthesis suspension system comprises a socket (43) for receiving a residual limb (45), a locking liner (1) having a locking pin (47) for attaching the liner to the socket and a sealing cap (3) disposed between the locking line and the socket. The system further comprises a gap (65) between a skirt (390) of the sealing cap and an interior wall (63) of the socket in which the skirt of the sealing cap is able to move between first and second positions.