Stump Receiving Sleeve Integrated Locking Sealing Element
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing limb stump receiving sleeves face issues with inconsistent sealing due to fluctuations in stump volume, leading to discomfort and the stump potentially sliding out, as they rely on planar contact and often require complex groove designs for sealing elements, which are not always effective.
Innovation Solution
A limb stump receiving sleeve with an integrated receptacle for a sealing element that can be reversibly attached in a positively locking manner, featuring a valve for air escape and a functional element with a circumferential groove for secure attachment, ensuring a reliable seal and maintaining negative pressure to keep the stump in place.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a planar seal between liner and receiving sleeve is used, then the structure is simple, but the sealing is inconsistent due to stump volume fluctuations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a flexible sealing element made of elastomeric material that can deform to accommodate stump volume changes. This flexible membrane seal maintains reliable sealing contact despite fluctuations in stump dimensions, resolving the contradiction between simple structure and reliable sealing.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is designed to be dynamically adaptable rather than static. The elastomeric material allows the seal to change its shape and position automatically in response to stump volume variations, ensuring continuous reliable sealing without complex adjustment mechanisms.
2Ease of operation
If the stump fit is made loose for comfort, then wearing comfort is improved, but the stump may slide out during movement
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sealing element acts as an intermediary between the stump and the receiving sleeve. It provides a comfortable fit by conforming to the stump while simultaneously maintaining a reliable seal that prevents sliding, thus mediating between comfort and retention requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The elastomeric sealing membrane provides both comfort through flexibility and retention through its ability to maintain a dynamic seal. The material's elasticity allows it to adapt to stump movements while preserving the negative pressure needed to prevent sliding.
3Reliability
If a circumferential ring is used to seal in a groove, then sealing is provided, but the ring may be pulled out during insertion/removal
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sealing element can be easily inserted and removed by being pushed over the stump end, while still providing reliable sealing when in place. The material's flexibility allows it to be manipulated during insertion without requiring complex locking mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is designed to be self-retaining through its flexibility and the negative pressure differential. Once inserted, it automatically maintains its position through the pressure differential without requiring active retention mechanisms, simplifying insertion while ensuring reliable sealing.
4Reliability
If the external diameter of the liner corresponds to the internal diameter of the shaft, then negative pressure can be produced permanently, but the fit may feel unpleasant or be harder to fit into prosthesis
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible sealing element allows for a slightly larger liner diameter that can still maintain effective sealing. The material's elasticity compensates for the reduced contact pressure, enabling comfortable fit while preserving negative pressure capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the physical state and properties of the sealing interface by using an elastomeric material that can deform under pressure. This allows the system to operate with larger dimensional tolerances while maintaining the negative pressure parameter needed for secure fit.
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 provides a secure, comfortable fit by maintaining negative pressure and preventing air leakage, ensuring the stump remains locked within the sleeve without additional pressure on the stump, even during movement, and allows easy insertion and removal without compromising sealing.
Implementation Method 1
The stump is fixed by a negative pressure produced in the limb stump receiving sleeve when inserting the stump, and for this purpose numerous stump receiving sleeves have a valve close to their distal end, via which the compressed air can escape from the sleeve during insertion of the stump.
Implementation Method 2
A limb stump receiving sleeve with an integrated receptacle for a sealing element that can be reversibly attached in a positively locking manner, featuring a valve for air escape and a functional element with a circumferential groove for secure attachment, ensuring a reliable seal and maintaining negative pressure to keep the stump in place.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a limb stump receiving sleeve (1) comprising an integrated locking device for locking a limb by sealing a distal region of the interior of the stump receiving sleeve in relation to the limb and the surrounding atmosphere, a functional element (3) of the device being integrated into the inner face of the receiving sleeve and a sealing element (5) that extends inwards being reversibly attachable to the functional element in a positive fit, preventing air from flowing in behind said element.