Ventilated Prosthetic Liner With Lattice Moisture Control
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing prosthetic liners face challenges in managing moisture and heat buildup, leading to discomfort and potential skin breakdown, while maintaining structural integrity and custom fit for individual residual limbs.
Innovation Solution
A liner with a ventilated structure formed from discretely deposited layers of elastomeric material, including a facing layer with openings and interstices, allowing air and moisture transfer, and integrated textile layers for enhanced breathability and comfort, while preserving mechanical strength.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If a solid layer of elastomeric material is used to provide cushioning and protection, then mechanical strength and protective function are improved, but breathability and moisture management deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous materials by incorporating a lattice structure within the elastomeric liner material. This lattice structure creates interconnected voids and channels that allow air and moisture vapor to pass through the material while maintaining the overall structural integrity and cushioning properties of the liner. The porous architecture enables breathability without compromising mechanical strength.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining elastomeric material with a lattice structure to create a multi-phase material system. The composite structure integrates both solid elastomeric regions (for cushioning and strength) and void spaces (for breathability and moisture management), achieving a balance between protective function and thermal/moisture regulation.
2Strength
If the liner thickness is increased to provide additional cushioning at the distal end, then protective function is improved, but flexibility and conformability deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the liner into distinct regions with different thicknesses and lattice structures. The distal end has increased thickness for enhanced cushioning where weight bearing occurs, while proximal regions maintain thinner profiles for flexibility. The lattice structure itself is segmented into cells of varying sizes and densities to localise mechanical properties.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements local quality by varying the lattice structure parameters (cell size, wall thickness, density) at different locations within the liner. Areas requiring higher cushioning (distal end) have denser, thicker lattice structures, while areas requiring flexibility (proximal regions) have more open, thinner structures. This spatial variation of material properties optimizes both protection and conformability.
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed cross-section profile is used for manufacturing simplicity, then ease of manufacture is improved, but adaptability to individual residual limb shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by creating a liner with a non-uniform, variable cross-section profile that adapts to different limb shapes. The lattice structure parameters (cell size, orientation, density) are dynamically varied along the length and circumference of the liner to match the contours of individual residual limbs. This allows customization of fit while maintaining manufacturability through controlled variation rather than complex assembly.
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 ventilated structure effectively manages moisture and heat, improving comfort and stability, reducing skin irritation, and providing a customizable fit without sacrificing structural integrity.
Implementation Method 1
The exemplary embodiments are formed from an elastomeric lattice structure and solid layers creating a ventilated structure permitting a transfer of air and moisture from an interior volume of the liner to an exterior or ambient liner
Implementation Method 2
An elastomeric material may be preferred, although not limited, for constructing the liner because it has inherent elasticity that conforms to a residual limb
Data Source
AI summary
A prosthetic liner has a ventilated structure communicating with an interior volume to an exterior of the prosthetic liner, thereby permitting a transfer of air and moisture therebetween. The prosthetic liner includes a facing layer defining a periphery of at least part of the interior volume of the liner, and forming a plurality of apertures extending therethrough. A cushion layer is juxtaposed to the facing layer and forms a lattice structure including a plurality of interstices in communication with the apertures of the facing layer.