Prosthetic Sheath Framework Structure for Wear and Heat Management
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Prosthetic covers face issues with material wear, weight, heat dissipation, and water flow during use, particularly in sports and water activities, as they are prone to stretching and compression, heavy due to solid foam, and fail to efficiently allow water in and out.
Innovation Solution
A prosthesis cover with a framework structure featuring lattice bars and through-openings that reduces material wear, enhances flexibility, facilitates heat dissipation, and improves water flow, while optimizing weight distribution and leverage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If solid PE or PUR foam is used for the prosthetic shell, then the shell provides good coverage and shape replication, but the overall weight of the prosthesis increases and heat generation in the prosthetic socket increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous foam material with a porosity of 20% to 80% for the prosthetic shell. This porous structure reduces the overall weight of the prosthesis while maintaining adequate coverage and shape replication capabilities. The porous structure also facilitates heat dissipation from the prosthetic socket, addressing the heat generation issue associated with solid foam materials.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs composite material construction by combining foam material (with specific porosity range) with a framework structure. This composite approach allows the prosthetic shell to achieve both lightweight properties and sufficient structural integrity for shape replication, overcoming the limitations of using solid foam alone.
2Shape
If solid PE or PUR foam is used for the prosthetic shell, then the shell provides good coverage, but heat generation in the prosthetic socket increases
Solution Approach 1:
The porous foam material with 20% to 80% porosity creates channels and voids that facilitate heat dissipation from the prosthetic socket. This reduces heat generation while maintaining adequate coverage, directly addressing the thermal management issue.
3Adaptability or versatility
If existing prosthetic shells are used in water, then the prosthesis can be used for water activities, but water cannot be quickly introduced into or drained from the prosthesis
Solution Approach 1:
The porous structure of the foam material with 20% to 80% porosity allows water to be quickly introduced into and drained from the prosthesis during water activities. The interconnected pores facilitate rapid water flow while maintaining the structural integrity needed for water sports usage.
4Shape
If a prosthetic shell covers moving prosthetic elements, then the shell provides complete coverage, but material wear increases due to constant stretching and compression
Solution Approach 1:
The porous foam material with 20% to 80% porosity provides complete coverage while reducing material wear in areas subject to constant stretching and compression. The porous structure allows for better flexibility and stress distribution, enhancing durability in high-wear regions.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The invention relates to a prosthesis shell for covering a prosthesis, wherein the prosthesis shell is attachable to a prosthesis, characterized in that the prosthesis shell has a framework structure with a plurality of grid bars and through-openings at least in an area of a movable element of the prosthesis, wherein the grid bars delineate the through-openings from one another.