Ventilated Prosthetic Socket With Discrete Vents for Heat Relief
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing prosthetic sockets lack effective ventilation and heat management, leading to issues such as moisture accumulation, friction-related injuries, and discomfort due to the total contact nature and rigidity of many known designs.
Innovation Solution
A ventilated prosthetic socket with integrated ventilation management systems, including discrete vent elements and ventilation structures that allow air and moisture transfer through the socket wall, providing adjustable and convenient ventilation without bulkiness.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a non-porous interface is used for total contact, then pressure distribution and friction control are improved, but heat and sweat management deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies porous materials by incorporating a porous layer within the prosthetic socket structure. This porous layer allows sweat and heat to pass through while maintaining the total contact interface, thus resolving the contradiction between pressure distribution reliability and heat management. The porous structure provides both mechanical support for pressure distribution and thermal pathways for heat dissipation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite materials by combining multiple layers with different properties - a non-porous outer layer for pressure distribution and friction control, and a porous inner layer for heat and sweat management. This composite structure allows each layer to perform its specialized function, simultaneously achieving both pressure distribution reliability and effective thermal management.
2Temperature
If ventilation structures are added to the socket, then heat and moisture management are improved, but structural integrity and strength may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by placing ventilation structures only in specific locations where they are most effective for heat and moisture management, rather than throughout the entire socket. This allows the majority of the socket structure to maintain its full strength and structural integrity, while localized venting provides adequate thermal management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the socket into distinct functional zones - load-bearing structural regions and localized ventilation regions. The ventilation structures are segmented into discrete elements that can be strategically positioned in areas where they provide maximum thermal benefit with minimum impact on overall structural strength.
3Temperature
If discrete vent elements are integrated into the socket, then sweat and heat transfer are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the ventilation function with the existing socket manufacturing process by integrating vent elements into the molding or fabrication steps. This combining approach allows ventilation features to be added without requiring separate manufacturing operations, thus improving sweat and heat transfer while minimizing increases in device complexity.
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 heat, preventing friction-related injuries and enhancing user comfort by allowing air exchange, thus improving the overall performance and fit of prosthetic systems.
Implementation Method 1
A ventilation management system is provided and incorporated with the socket to vent air and moisture from an interior volume of the prosthetic socket and through a wall thickness from an interior surface to an exterior surface of the prosthetic socket.
Data Source
AI summary
A ventilated prosthetic socket includes a rigid, structural and load-bearing socket body forming an inner volume adapted to receive a residual limb, and a wall thickness extending from an inner wall surface bordering the inner volume to an outer wall surface. The socket body defines an opening extending through the wall thickness. At least one vent element communicates the inner wall surface to the outer wall surface and extending therebetween in the opening along the socket body to thereby permit a transfer of air from the inner volume to outside of the socket through the opening. The at least one vent element is separately formed from the socket body and discretely insertable into the opening and secured against the inner surface and the outer wall surface. A method and kit are provided to adapt the socket in a ventilated form.