Ventilated Prosthetic Liner With Elastomer Lattice for Heat Buildup
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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, and often require complex manufacturing processes.
Innovation Solution
A liner with a ventilated structure formed from discretely deposited layers of elastomeric material, such as silicone, featuring a lattice-like network of filaments with integrated openings for air and moisture transfer, and a seamless textile attachment to minimize pressure points.
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 protection are improved, but breathability and moisture management deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous materials by incorporating a ventilated structure with a lattice-like network of filaments formed from elastomeric material. This lattice structure creates interconnected voids and channels that allow air and moisture vapor to pass through while maintaining the mechanical integrity and cushioning properties of the solid elastomeric material. The porous structure enables breathability without sacrificing protection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies composite materials by combining solid elastomeric material with a ventilated lattice structure. The composite construction integrates the protective and cushioning properties of solid elastomeric material with the breathability and moisture management capabilities of the open lattice network, creating a material system that exhibits both mechanical strength and vapor permeability.
2Strength
If a thick layer of elastomeric material is used to provide sufficient cushioning, then protection is improved, but breathability and comfort deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous materials by using a lattice-like network structure where the arrangement and thickness of filaments are optimized to provide cushioning while maintaining open pathways for vapor transmission. The porous structure allows moisture to escape even when the liner is thick, preventing the discomfort and skin breakdown associated with trapped moisture.
3Ease of manufacture
If a fixed cross-section profile is used for manufacturing, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to individual residual limbs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by creating a liner structure that is inherently adaptable through the lattice-like network of filaments. The flexible, interconnected filament structure can deform and conform to various limb shapes and sizes, providing a custom fit without requiring complex manufacturing processes. The dynamic structure adjusts to individual anatomy while maintaining structural integrity.
4Adaptability or versatility
If textile material is attached to the liner body, then customized features are improved, but device complexity and pressure points worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies merging by integrating the textile attachment directly into the liner manufacturing process. The lattice-like network structure serves as both the structural framework and the attachment mechanism for textile materials, eliminating separate assembly steps and reducing overall device complexity. The combined structure distributes loads evenly, minimizing pressure 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 ventilated structure effectively manages moisture and heat, providing enhanced comfort, stability, and custom fit without sacrificing mechanical strength, while simplifying manufacturing and reducing discomfort.
Implementation Method 1
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
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 3
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.