Thermally Conductive Prosthetic Liners for Heat Management

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Prosthetic and orthotic devices, such as polymeric liners and sockets, retain heat due to their non-breathable and minimally thermally conductive materials, leading to discomfort and skin problems for amputees, as they inhibit heat transfer and absorption from the residual limb.

Innovation Solution

Incorporating thermally conductive additives, phase change materials, and optimized material compositions in polymeric liners, suspension sleeves, and sockets to enhance heat transfer and absorption, including the use of materials like silicone, urethane, and thermoplastic elastomers, along with fabric modifications for improved thermal conductivity and the integration of fluid-filled pockets and encapsulated phase change materials.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If polymeric materials (silicone, urethane, TPE) are used in prosthetic liners, then comfort and protection of the residual limb are improved, but heat transfer capability deteriorates due to minimal thermal conductivity

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovecomfortVSAvoidheat transfer capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by combining polymeric materials with thermally conductive additives (such as metal particles, ceramic particles, or carbon-based materials) to create a liner that maintains the comfort and protection benefits of the polymer while adding heat transfer capability through the conductive additives dispersed within the polymer matrix

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the thermal parameter of the polymeric material by incorporating thermally conductive additives, which modify the thermal conductivity parameter of the base material. This allows the liner to maintain its mechanical properties and comfort while achieving improved heat transfer through parameter modification of the material composition

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Strength

If fabric is added to cover the exterior of the polymeric liner, then wear resistance is improved, but heat retention worsens due to fabric acting as an additional thermal barrier

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewear resistanceVSAvoidheat retention

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the thermal parameter of the fabric by treating it with thermally conductive coatings or impregnating it with thermally conductive materials, thereby modifying the fabric's thermal conductivity to reduce heat retention while preserving its wear resistance and protective functions

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a composite structure where the fabric is combined with thermally conductive materials through coatings, laminates, or impregnation, resulting in a multi-layer composite that maintains the fabric's mechanical protection while adding thermal transfer capability through the conductive layers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Strength

If prosthetic sockets are made from rigid impermeable materials (fiberglass, composites, thermoplastics), then structural support is improved, but heat transfer capability deteriorates due to low thermal conductivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural supportVSAvoidheat transfer capability

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSTemperature

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies composite materials by incorporating thermally conductive additives (such as metal particles, ceramic particles, or carbon-based materials) into the rigid socket materials, creating a composite structure that maintains the structural support and rigidity of the base material while adding heat transfer capability through the dispersed conductive phases

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies local quality by concentrating thermally conductive elements in specific regions of the socket where heat transfer is most needed, such as areas in direct contact with the residual limb or regions with higher metabolic heat generation, thereby providing targeted thermal management while maintaining overall structural integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

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 enhanced thermal conductivity and heat absorption capabilities reduce residual limb temperature, providing greater comfort and reducing perspiration, with improved thermal management systems that maintain comfort over extended use.

Implementation Method 1

Incorporating thermally conductive additives... to enhance heat transfer

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

Incorporating... phase change materials to enhance heat transfer and absorption

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhase change: Phase Change

Data Source

PatentUS9358138B2Polymeric prosthetic devices with heat control capabilities

Publication Date: 2016.06.07 WILLOWWOOD GLOBAL LLC

AI summary

Prosthetic liners, prosthetic sockets and prosthetic suspension sleeves, as well as orthotic components, having enhanced thermally conductivity and/or enhanced heat absorption capabilities. Such components may be used in various combinations to create assemblies and systems that are operative to better transfer heat away from and/or absorb heat produced by residual or intact limbs of a user.